Column interface for navigating in a user interface

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to an electronic device. The electronic device provides, for display on a display device, a user interface including a first set of columns, two or more columns in the first set of columns each including two or more menu items. The electronic device receives a selection input. In response to receiving the selection input, in accordance with a determination that the selection input corresponds to selection of a first column the electronic device provides, for display on the display device, a second set of columns, two or more of the columns in the second set of columns corresponding to different subsets of menu items that were displayed in the first column that was selected in response to the selection input.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/872,274, filed May 11, 2020, and published as U.S. Publication No.2020-0272666, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/746,095, filed Jun. 22, 2015, and issued on May 12, 2020 as U.S.Pat. No. 10,650,052, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/016,599, filed Jun. 24, 2014, the entire disclosuresof which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties forall purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This relates generally to user interfaces for navigating and displayingcontent items.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Electronic devices that provide a user interface for navigating anddisplaying content items are often cluttered and confusing for users.Further, bringing up the user interface after viewing video, forexample, can be a jarring and unintuitive experience.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces that allow a userto navigate through numerous content items. There is a need to provide afast, efficient, and convenient way for users to navigate through andselect content items for consumption (e.g., viewing, listening, etc.).The embodiments described below provide a fast, efficient, andconvenient way for users to navigate through and select content itemsfor consumption using a column user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments,reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a multifunction device with atouch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multifunction device having a touch screen inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunctiondevice with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the displayin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary architecture for thedevice according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6NN illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating throughand selecting content items in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7E are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing acolumn user interface in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate exemplary translucent user interfaces inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing a userinterface with translucent portions in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate the gradual display of a column user interfaceover passive content in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11B are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing auser interface that gradually appears over visual content in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate exemplary user interfaces including intelligentpresentation of contextual information for a content series inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 13A-13C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of intelligentpresentation of contextual information for a content series inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 14A-14H illustrate exemplary user interfaces for adding bothcontent and non-content items to a watch list in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A-15B are flow diagrams illustrating a method of user interfacesfor adding both content and non-content items to a watch list inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 16-20 show functional block diagrams of electronic devicesconfigured in accordance with the principles of the various describedembodiments, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of examples, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shownby way of illustration specific examples that can be practiced. It is tobe understood that other examples can be used and structural changes canbe made without departing from the scope of the disclosed examples.

Exemplary Devices

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitivesurfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), are,optionally, used. It should also be understood that, in someembodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but isa desktop computer or a television with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,a touch screen display and/or a touch pad). In some embodiments, thedevice does not have a touch screen display and/or a touch pad, butrather is capable of outputting display information (such as the userinterfaces of the disclosure) for display on a separate display device,and capable of receiving input information from a separate input devicehaving one or more input mechanisms (such as one or more buttons, atouch screen display and/or a touch pad). In some embodiments, thedevice has a display, but is capable of receiving input information froma separate input device having one or more input mechanisms (such as oneor more buttons, a touch screen display and/or a touch pad).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device optionally includes oneor more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physicalkeyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick. Further, as described above, itshould be understood that the described electronic device, display andtouch-sensitive surface are optionally distributed amongst two or moredevices. Therefore, as used in this disclosure, information displayed onthe electronic device or by the electronic device is optionally used todescribe information outputted by the electronic device for display on aseparate display device (touch-sensitive or not). Similarly, as used inthis disclosure, input received on the electronic device (e.g., touchinput received on a touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device) isoptionally used to describe input received on a separate input device,from which the electronic device receives input information.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, a television channelbrowsing application, and/or a digital video player application.

The various applications that are executed on the device optionally useat least one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the deviceare, optionally, adjusted and/or varied from one application to the nextand/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physicalarchitecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the deviceoptionally supports the variety of applications with user interfacesthat are intuitive and transparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable or non-portabledevices with touch-sensitive displays, though the devices need notinclude touch-sensitive displays or displays in general, as describedabove. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating portable or non-portablemultifunction device 100 with touch-sensitive displays 112 in accordancewith some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display 112 is sometimes called a“touch screen” for convenience, and is sometimes known as or called atouch-sensitive display system. Device 100 includes memory 102 (whichoptionally includes one or more computer readable storage mediums),memory controller 122, one or more processing units (CPU's) 120,peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, otherinput or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device 100optionally includes one or more optical sensors 164. Device 100optionally includes one or more intensity sensors 165 for detectingintensity of contacts on device 100 (e.g., a touch-sensitive surfacesuch as touch-sensitive display system 112 of device 100). Device 100optionally includes one or more tactile output generators 167 forgenerating tactile outputs on device 100 (e.g., generating tactileoutputs on a touch-sensitive surface such as touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 of device 100 or touchpad 355 of device 300). Thesecomponents optionally communicate over one or more communication busesor signal lines 103.

As used in the specification and claims, the term “intensity” of acontact on a touch-sensitive surface refers to the force or pressure(force per unit area) of a contact (e.g., a finger contact) on thetouch-sensitive surface, or to a substitute (proxy) for the force orpressure of a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. The intensity of acontact has a range of values that includes at least four distinctvalues and more typically includes hundreds of distinct values (e.g., atleast 256). Intensity of a contact is, optionally, determined (ormeasured) using various approaches and various sensors or combinationsof sensors. For example, one or more force sensors underneath oradjacent to the touch-sensitive surface are, optionally, used to measureforce at various points on the touch-sensitive surface. In someimplementations, force measurements from multiple force sensors arecombined (e.g., a weighted average) to determine an estimated force of acontact. Similarly, a pressure-sensitive tip of a stylus is, optionally,used to determine a pressure of the stylus on the touch-sensitivesurface. Alternatively, the size of the contact area detected on thetouch-sensitive surface and/or changes thereto, the capacitance of thetouch-sensitive surface proximate to the contact and/or changes thereto,and/or the resistance of the touch-sensitive surface proximate to thecontact and/or changes thereto are, optionally, used as a substitute forthe force or pressure of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface. Insome implementations, the substitute measurements for contact force orpressure are used directly to determine whether an intensity thresholdhas been exceeded (e.g., the intensity threshold is described in unitscorresponding to the substitute measurements). In some implementations,the substitute measurements for contact force or pressure are convertedto an estimated force or pressure and the estimated force or pressure isused to determine whether an intensity threshold has been exceeded(e.g., the intensity threshold is a pressure threshold measured in unitsof pressure).

As used in the specification and claims, the term “tactile output”refers to physical displacement of a device relative to a previousposition of the device, physical displacement of a component (e.g., atouch-sensitive surface) of a device relative to another component(e.g., housing) of the device, or displacement of the component relativeto a center of mass of the device that will be detected by a user withthe user's sense of touch. For example, in situations where the deviceor the component of the device is in contact with a surface of a userthat is sensitive to touch (e.g., a finger, palm, or other part of auser's hand), the tactile output generated by the physical displacementwill be interpreted by the user as a tactile sensation corresponding toa perceived change in physical characteristics of the device or thecomponent of the device. For example, movement of a touch-sensitivesurface (e.g., a touch-sensitive display or trackpad) is, optionally,interpreted by the user as a “down click” or “up click” of a physicalactuator button. In some cases, a user will feel a tactile sensationsuch as an “down click” or “up click” even when there is no movement ofa physical actuator button associated with the touch-sensitive surfacethat is physically pressed (e.g., displaced) by the user's movements. Asanother example, movement of the touch-sensitive surface is, optionally,interpreted or sensed by the user as “roughness” of the touch-sensitivesurface, even when there is no change in smoothness of thetouch-sensitive surface. While such interpretations of touch by a userwill be subject to the individualized sensory perceptions of the user,there are many sensory perceptions of touch that are common to a largemajority of users. Thus, when a tactile output is described ascorresponding to a particular sensory perception of a user (e.g., an “upclick,” a “down click,” “roughness”), unless otherwise stated, thegenerated tactile output corresponds to physical displacement of thedevice or a component thereof that will generate the described sensoryperception for a typical (or average) user.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable or non-portable multifunction device, and that device 100optionally has more or fewer components than shown, optionally combinestwo or more components, or optionally has a different configuration orarrangement of the components. The various components shown in FIG. 1Aare implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardwareand software, including one or more signal processing and/or applicationspecific integrated circuits. Further, the various components shown inFIG. 1A are optionally implemented across two or more devices; forexample, a display and audio circuitry on a display device, atouch-sensitive surface on an input device, and remaining components ondevice 100. In such an embodiment, device 100 optionally communicateswith the display device and/or the input device to facilitate operationof the system, as described in the disclosure, and the variouscomponents described herein that relate to display and/or input remainin device 100, or are optionally included in the display and/or inputdevice, as appropriate.

Memory 102 optionally includes high-speed random access memory andoptionally also includes non-volatile memory, such as one or moremagnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or othernon-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory 102 by othercomponents of device 100, such as CPU 120 and the peripherals interface118, is, optionally, controlled by memory controller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 are, optionally, implemented on a single chip, such aschip 104. In some other embodiments, they are, optionally, implementedon separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 optionally includes well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 optionally communicates with networks, such as theInternet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranetand/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, awireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network(MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wirelesscommunication optionally uses any of a plurality of communicationsstandards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited toGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA),high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), Evolution, Data-Only (EV-DO),HSPA, HSPA+, Dual-Cell HSPA (DC-HSPDA), long term evolution (LTE), nearfield communication (NFC), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet messageaccess protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instantmessaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP),Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and PresenceLeveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service(IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitablecommunication protocol, including communication protocols not yetdeveloped as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data is, optionally,retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108by peripherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110also includes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2 ). The headset jackprovides an interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 optionally includes display controller156, optical sensor controller 158, intensity sensor controller 159,haptic feedback controller 161 and one or more input controllers 160 forother input or control devices. The one or more input controllers 160receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices116. The other input control devices 116 optionally include physicalbuttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, sliderswitches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternateembodiments, input controller(s) 160 are, optionally, coupled to any (ornone) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and apointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g., 208, FIG.2 ) optionally include an up/down button for volume control of speaker111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons optionally include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2 ).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. As described above, thetouch-sensitive operation and the display operation of touch-sensitivedisplay 112 are optionally separated from each other, such that adisplay device is used for display purposes and a touch-sensitivesurface (whether display or not) is used for input detection purposes,and the described components and functions are modified accordingly.However, for simplicity, the following description is provided withreference to a touch-sensitive display. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output optionallyincludes graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof(collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all ofthe visual output corresponds to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a pointof contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a fingerof the user.

Touch screen 112 optionally uses LCD (liquid crystal display)technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED(light emitting diode) technology, although other display technologiesare used in other embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller156 optionally detect contact and any movement or breaking thereof usingany of a plurality of touch sensing technologies now known or laterdeveloped, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared,and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximitysensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points ofcontact with touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projectedmutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch screen 112 optionally has a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi.In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user optionally makes contact with touchscreen 112 using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, afinger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface isdesigned to work primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures,which can be less precise than stylus-based input due to the larger areaof contact of a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, thedevice translates the rough finger-based input into a precisepointer/cursor position or command for performing the actions desired bythe user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100optionally includes a touchpad (not shown) for activating ordeactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad isa touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, doesnot display visual output. The touchpad is, optionally, atouch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen 112 or anextension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 optionally includes a power managementsystem, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current(AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a powerconverter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emittingdiode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable or non-portabledevices.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more optical sensors 164.FIG. 1A shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 optionally includescharge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 optionally capturesstill images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is locatedon the back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on thefront of the device, so that the touch screen display is enabled for useas a viewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image is, optionally, obtained forvideoconferencing while the user views the other video conferenceparticipants on the touch screen display.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more contact intensitysensors 165. FIG. 1A shows a contact intensity sensor coupled tointensity sensor controller 159 in I/O subsystem 106. Contact intensitysensor 165 optionally includes one or more piezoresistive strain gauges,capacitive force sensors, electric force sensors, piezoelectric forcesensors, optical force sensors, capacitive touch-sensitive surfaces, orother intensity sensors (e.g., sensors used to measure the force (orpressure) of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface). Contact intensitysensor 165 receives contact intensity information (e.g., pressureinformation or a proxy for pressure information) from the environment.In some embodiments, at least one contact intensity sensor is collocatedwith, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., touch-sensitivedisplay system 112). In some embodiments, at least one contact intensitysensor is located on the back of device 100, opposite touch screendisplay 112 which is located on the front of device 100.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more proximity sensors 166.FIG. 1A shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 is coupled to input controller 160 inI/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns offand disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device is placednear the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more tactile outputgenerators 167. FIG. 1A shows a tactile output generator coupled tohaptic feedback controller 161 in I/O subsystem 106. Tactile outputgenerator 167 optionally includes one or more electroacoustic devicessuch as speakers or other audio components and/or electromechanicaldevices that convert energy into linear motion such as a motor,solenoid, electroactive polymer, piezoelectric actuator, electrostaticactuator, or other tactile output generating component (e.g., acomponent that converts electrical signals into tactile outputs on thedevice). Contact intensity sensor 165 receives tactile feedbackgeneration instructions from haptic feedback module 133 and generatestactile outputs on device 100 that are capable of being sensed by a userof device 100. In some embodiments, at least one tactile outputgenerator is collocated with, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface(e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112) and, optionally, generates atactile output by moving the touch-sensitive surface vertically (e.g.,in/out of a surface of device 100) or laterally (e.g., back and forth inthe same plane as a surface of device 100). In some embodiments, atleast one tactile output generator sensor is located on the back ofdevice 100, opposite touch screen display 112 which is located on thefront of device 100.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more accelerometers 168. FIG.1A shows accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, accelerometer 168 is, optionally, coupled to an inputcontroller 160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information isdisplayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscapeview based on an analysis of data received from the one or moreaccelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in addition toaccelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASSor other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaininginformation concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait orlandscape) of device 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136.Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 stores device/globalinternal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3 . Device/global internalstate 157 includes one or more of: active application state, indicatingwhich applications, if any, are currently active; display state,indicating what applications, views or other information occupy variousregions of touch screen display 112; sensor state, including informationobtained from the device's various sensors and input control devices116; and location information concerning the device's location and/orattitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects contact with touch screen112 (in conjunction with display controller 156) and othertouch-sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel).Contact/motion module 130 includes various software components forperforming various operations related to detection of contact, such asdetermining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-downevent), determining an intensity of the contact (e.g., the force orpressure of the contact or a substitute for the force or pressure of thecontact) determining if there is movement of the contact and trackingthe movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one ormore finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased(e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact).Contact/motion module 130 receives contact data from the touch-sensitivesurface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which isrepresented by a series of contact data, optionally includes determiningspeed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or anacceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point ofcontact. These operations are, optionally, applied to single contacts(e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g.,“multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments,contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156 detect contact on atouchpad.

In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 uses a set of one or moreintensity thresholds to determine whether an operation has beenperformed by a user (e.g., to determine whether a user has “clicked” onan icon). In some embodiments at least a subset of the intensitythresholds are determined in accordance with software parameters (e.g.,the intensity thresholds are not determined by the activation thresholdsof particular physical actuators and can be adjusted without changingthe physical hardware of device 100). For example, a mouse “click”threshold of a trackpad or touch screen display can be set to any of alarge range of predefined thresholds values without changing thetrackpad or touch screen display hardware. Additionally, in someimplementations a user of the device is provided with software settingsfor adjusting one or more of the set of intensity thresholds (e.g., byadjusting individual intensity thresholds and/or by adjusting aplurality of intensity thresholds at once with a system-level click“intensity” parameter).

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns and intensities. Thus, a gesture is, optionally, detected bydetecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a fingertap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detectinga finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially thesame position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of anicon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on thetouch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followedby detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequentlyfollowed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the visual impact (e.g., brightness,transparency, saturation, contrast or other visual property) of graphicsthat are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes anyobject that can be displayed to a user, including without limitationtext, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including softkeys), digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic is, optionally, assigned acorresponding code. Graphics module 132 receives, from applicationsetc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with,if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and thengenerates screen image data to output to display controller 156.

Haptic feedback module 133 includes various software components forgenerating instructions used by tactile output generator(s) 167 toproduce tactile outputs at one or more locations on device 100 inresponse to user interactions with device 100.

Text input module 134, which is, optionally, a component of graphicsmodule 132, provides soft keyboards for entering text in variousapplications (e.g., contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, andany other application that needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 optionally include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which optionally include one or more of:        weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget        149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and        other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created        widgets 149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which is, optionally, made up        of a video player module and a music player module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154;    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that are, optionally, stored inmemory 102 include other word processing applications, other imageediting applications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 are, optionally, used to manage an address book or contactlist (e.g., stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module137 in memory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to theaddress book; deleting name(s) from the address book; associatingtelephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or otherinformation with a name; associating an image with a name; categorizingand sorting names; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses toinitiate and/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, videoconference 139, e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 are, optionally, used to enter a sequence of characterscorresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephonenumbers in address book 137, modify a telephone number that has beenentered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation anddisconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As notedabove, the wireless communication optionally uses any of a plurality ofcommunications standards, protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages optionally include graphics, photos, audio files, videofiles and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or anEnhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging”refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMSor MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP,SIMPLE, or IMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that are, optionally, downloaded and used by a user(e.g., weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or createdby the user (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, awidget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS(Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In someembodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) fileand a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 are,optionally, used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning auser-specified portion of a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 optionally includes thefunctionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of AppleInc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 are,optionally, used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and dataassociated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and otherpoints of interest at or near a particular location; and otherlocation-based data) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules are, optionally, combined orotherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structuresidentified above. Furthermore, memory 102 optionally stores additionalmodules and data structures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad (whether included in device 100or on a separate device, such as an input device). By using a touchscreen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device foroperation of device 100, the number of physical input control devices(such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device 100 is,optionally, reduced.

The predefined set of functions that are performed exclusively through atouch screen and/or a touchpad optionally include navigation betweenuser interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by theuser, navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that is displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, a “menubutton” is implemented using a touchpad. In some other embodiments, themenu button is a physical push button or other physical input controldevice instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 (in FIG. 1A) or 370 (FIG. 3 ) includes event sorter 170(e.g., in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1(e.g., any of the aforementioned applications 137-151, 155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines theapplication 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to whichto deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes eventmonitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments,application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, whichindicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch-sensitivedisplay 112 when the application is active or executing. In someembodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter170 to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, andapplication internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determineapplication views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additionalinformation, such as one or more of: resume information to be used whenapplication 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state informationthat indicates information being displayed or that is ready for displayby application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back toa prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue ofprevious actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., auser touch on touch-sensitive display 112, as part of a multi-touchgesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information it receivesfrom I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor 166,accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audio circuitry110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives from I/Osubsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive display 112 or atouch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripheralsinterface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripheralsinterface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments,peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there isa significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predeterminednoise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit viewdetermination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determinationmodule 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures fordetermining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views,when touch-sensitive display 112 displays more than one view. Views aremade up of controls and other elements that a user can see on thedisplay.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is aset of views, sometimes herein called application views or userinterface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-basedgestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) inwhich a touch is detected optionally correspond to programmatic levelswithin a programmatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example,the lowest level view in which a touch is detected is, optionally,called the hit view, and the set of events that are recognized as properinputs are, optionally, determined based, at least in part, on the hitview of the initial touch that begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related tosub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multipleviews organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which shouldhandle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowestlevel view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the firstsub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potentialevent). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determinationmodule, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to thesame touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which viewor views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence ofsub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determinationmodule 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particularsequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizerdetermination module 173 determines that all views that include thephysical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, andtherefore determines that all actively involved views should receive aparticular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touchsub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with oneparticular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain asactively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an eventrecognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including activeevent recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined byactive event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments,event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the eventinformation, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170.Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet otherembodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part ofanother module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of eventhandlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of whichincludes instructions for handling touch events that occur within arespective view of the application's user interface. Each applicationview 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a pluralityof event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of eventrecognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interfacekit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, objectupdater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from eventsorter 170. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls data updater176, object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the applicationinternal state 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views191 includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in someembodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, andGUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g.,event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from theevent information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 andevent comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 alsoincludes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event deliveryinstructions 188 (which optionally include sub-event deliveryinstructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. Theevent information includes information about a sub-event, for example, atouch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the eventinformation also includes additional information, such as location ofthe sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch, the eventinformation optionally also includes speed and direction of thesub-event. In some embodiments, events include rotation of the devicefrom one orientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to alandscape orientation, or vice versa), and the event informationincludes corresponding information about the current orientation (alsocalled device attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined eventor sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines anevent or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event orsub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes eventdefinitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events(e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1(187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events inan event 187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touchmovement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, thedefinition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object.The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) onthe displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on thedisplayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition forevent 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, forexample, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for apredetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitivedisplay 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments,the event also includes information for one or more associated eventhandlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of anevent for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, eventcomparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interfaceobject is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an applicationview in which three user-interface objects are displayed ontouch-sensitive display 112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitivedisplay 112, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine whichof the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch(sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respectiveevent handler 190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit testto determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example,event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with thesub-event and the object triggering the hit test.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event 187 alsoincludes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event informationuntil after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-eventsdoes or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series ofsub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, therespective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, eventfailed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequentsub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other eventrecognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue totrack and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate howthe event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to activelyinvolved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includesconfigurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how eventrecognizers interact, or are enabled to interact, with one another. Insome embodiments, metadata 183 includes configurable properties, flags,and/or lists that indicate whether sub-events are delivered to varyinglevels in the view or programmatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates eventhandler 190 associated with an event when one or more particularsub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with theevent to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinctfrom sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view.In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated withthe recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flagcatches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-eventdelivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-eventwithout activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event deliveryinstructions deliver event information to event handlers associated withthe series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlersassociated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved viewsreceive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used inapplication 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephonenumber used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in videoplayer module 145. In some embodiments, object updater 177 creates andupdates objects used in application 136-1. For example, object updater176 creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of auser-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUIupdater 178 prepares display information and sends it to graphics module132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to dataupdater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In someembodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 orapplication view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two ormore software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding eventhandling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays and/or touchpadsalso applies to other forms of user inputs to operate multifunctiondevices 100 with input-devices, not all of which are initiated on touchscreens. For example, mouse movement and mouse button presses,optionally coordinated with single or multiple keyboard presses orholds; contact movements such as taps, drags, scrolls, etc., ontouch-pads; pen stylus inputs; movement of the device; oralinstructions; detected eye movements; biometric inputs; and/or anycombination thereof are optionally utilized as inputs corresponding tosub-events which define an event to be recognized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable or non-portable multifunction device 100having a touch screen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. As statedabove, multifunction device 100 is described as having the variousillustrated structures (such as touch screen 112, speaker 111,accelerometer 168, microphone 113, etc.); however, it is understood thatthese structures optionally reside on separate devices. For example,display-related structures (e.g., display, speaker, etc.) and/orfunctions optionally reside on a separate display device, input-relatedstructures (e.g., touch-sensitive surface, microphone, accelerometer,etc.) and/or functions optionally reside on a separate input device, andremaining structures and/or functions optionally reside on multifunctiondevice 100.

The touch screen 112 optionally displays one or more graphics withinuser interface (UI) 200. In this embodiment, as well as others describedbelow, a user is enabled to select one or more of the graphics by makinga gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers 202(not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses 203 (notdrawn to scale in the figure). In some embodiments, selection of one ormore graphics occurs when the user breaks contact with the one or moregraphics. In some embodiments, the gesture optionally includes one ormore taps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upwardand/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, leftto right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with device 100.In some implementations or circumstances, inadvertent contact with agraphic does not select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture thatsweeps over an application icon optionally does not select thecorresponding application when the gesture corresponding to selection isa tap.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more physical buttons, suchas “home” or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204is, optionally, used to navigate to any application 136 in a set ofapplications that are, optionally executed on device 100. Alternatively,in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in aGUI displayed on touch screen 112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 is, optionally, used to turn the power on/offon the device by depressing the button and holding the button in thedepressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device bydepressing the button and releasing the button before the predefinedtime interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate anunlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also acceptsverbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions throughmicrophone 113. Device 100 also, optionally, includes one or morecontact intensity sensors 165 for detecting intensity of contacts ontouch screen 112 and/or one or more tactile output generators 167 forgenerating tactile outputs for a user of device 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments. Device 300 need not include the display and thetouch-sensitive surface, as described above, but rather, in someembodiments, optionally communicates with the display and thetouch-sensitive surface on other devices. Additionally, device 300 neednot be portable. In some embodiments, device 300 is a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a tablet computer, a multimedia player device (such asa television or a set-top box), a navigation device, an educationaldevice (such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, or a controldevice (e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300 typicallyincludes one or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or more networkor other communications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or morecommunication buses 320 for interconnecting these components.Communication buses 320 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called achipset) that interconnects and controls communications between systemcomponents. Device 300 includes input/output (I/O) interface 330comprising display 340, which is typically a touch screen display. I/Ointerface 330 also optionally includes a keyboard and/or mouse (or otherpointing device) 350 and touchpad 355, tactile output generator 357 forgenerating tactile outputs on device 300 (e.g., similar to tactileoutput generator(s) 167 described above with reference to FIG. 1A),sensors 359 (e.g., optical, acceleration, proximity, touch-sensitive,and/or contact intensity sensors similar to contact intensity sensor(s)165 described above with reference to FIG. 1A). Memory 370 includeshigh-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or otherrandom access solid state memory devices; and optionally includesnon-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices,optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or othernon-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory 370 optionally includesone or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 310. In someembodiments, memory 370 stores programs, modules, and data structuresanalogous to the programs, modules, and data structures stored in memory102 of portable or non-portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1A), or asubset thereof. Furthermore, memory 370 optionally stores additionalprograms, modules, and data structures not present in memory 102 ofportable or non-portable multifunction device 100. For example, memory370 of device 300 optionally stores drawing module 380, presentationmodule 382, word processing module 384, website creation module 386,disk authoring module 388, and/or spreadsheet module 390, while memory102 of portable or non-portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1A)optionally does not store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 are, optionally, storedin one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of theabove identified modules corresponds to a set of instructions forperforming a function described above. The above identified modules orprograms (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented asseparate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus varioussubsets of these modules are, optionally, combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, memory 370 optionally stores additional modules anddata structures not described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g., device300, FIG. 3 ) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tablet ortouchpad 355, FIG. 3 ) that is separate from the display 450 (e.g.,touch screen display 112). Device 300 also, optionally, includes one ormore contact intensity sensors (e.g., one or more of sensors 357) fordetecting intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 and/orone or more tactile output generators 359 for generating tactile outputsfor a user of device 300.

Although some of the examples which follow will be given with referenceto inputs on touch screen display 112 (where the touch sensitive surfaceand the display are combined), in some embodiments, the device detectsinputs on a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display,as shown in FIG. 4 . In some embodiments the touch sensitive surface(e.g., 451 in FIG. 4 ) has a primary axis (e.g., 452 in FIG. 4 ) thatcorresponds to a primary axis (e.g., 453 in FIG. 4 ) on the display(e.g., 450). In accordance with these embodiments, the device detectscontacts (e.g., 460 and 462 in FIG. 4 ) with the touch-sensitive surface451 at locations that correspond to respective locations on the display(e.g., in FIG. 4, 460 corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). Inthis way, user inputs (e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movementsthereof) detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,451 in FIG. 4 ) are used by the device to manipulate the user interfaceon the display (e.g., 450 in FIG. 4 ) of the multifunction device whenthe touch-sensitive surface is separate from the display. It should beunderstood that similar methods are, optionally, used for other userinterfaces described herein.

Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily withreference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures,finger swipe gestures), it should be understood that, in someembodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with inputfrom another input device (e.g., a mouse based input or stylus input).For example, a swipe gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouse click(e.g., instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor alongthe path of the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). Asanother example, a tap gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouseclick while the cursor is located over the location of the tap gesture(e.g., instead of detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detectthe contact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneouslydetected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice are,optionally, used simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts are,optionally, used simultaneously.

As used herein, the term “focus selector” refers to an input elementthat indicates a current part of a user interface with which a user isinteracting. In some implementations that include a cursor or otherlocation marker, the cursor acts as a “focus selector,” so that when aninput (e.g., a press input) is detected on a touch-sensitive surface(e.g., touchpad 355 in FIG. 3 or touch-sensitive surface 451 in FIG. 4 )while the cursor is over a particular user interface element (e.g., abutton, window, slider or other user interface element), the particularuser interface element is adjusted in accordance with the detectedinput. In some implementations that include a touch-screen display(e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112 in FIG. 1A or touch screen 112in FIG. 4A) that enables direct interaction with user interface elementson the touch-screen display, a detected contact on the touch-screen actsas a “focus selector,” so that when an input (e.g., a press input by thecontact) is detected on the touch-screen display at a location of aparticular user interface element (e.g., a button, window, slider orother user interface element), the particular user interface element isadjusted in accordance with the detected input. In some implementationsfocus is moved from one region of a user interface to another region ofthe user interface without corresponding movement of a cursor ormovement of a contact on a touch-screen display (e.g., by using a tabkey or arrow keys to move focus from one button to another button); inthese implementations, the focus selector moves in accordance withmovement of focus between different regions of the user interface.Without regard to the specific form taken by the focus selector, thefocus selector is generally the user interface element (or contact on atouch-screen display) that is controlled by the user so as tocommunicate the user's intended interaction with the user interface(e.g., by indicating, to the device, the element of the user interfacewith which the user is intending to interact). For example, the locationof a focus selector (e.g., a cursor, a contact or a selection box) overa respective button while a press input is detected on thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touchpad or touch screen) will indicatethat the user is intending to activate the respective button (as opposedto other user interface elements shown on a display of the device).

In some embodiments described herein, one or more operations areperformed in response to detecting a gesture that includes a respectivepress input or in response to detecting the respective press inputperformed with a respective contact (or a plurality of contacts), wherethe respective press input is detected based at least in part ondetecting an increase in intensity of the contact (or plurality ofcontacts) above a press-input intensity threshold. In some embodiments,the respective operation is performed in response to detecting theincrease in intensity of the respective contact above the press-inputintensity threshold (e.g., a “down stroke” of the respective pressinput). In some embodiments, the press input includes an increase inintensity of the respective contact above the press-input intensitythreshold and a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact belowthe press-input intensity threshold, and the respective operation isperformed in response to detecting the subsequent decrease in intensityof the respective contact below the press-input threshold (e.g., an “upstroke” of the respective press input).

In some embodiments, the device employs intensity hysteresis to avoidaccidental inputs sometimes termed “jitter,” where the device defines orselects a hysteresis intensity threshold with a predefined relationshipto the press-input intensity threshold (e.g., the hysteresis intensitythreshold is X intensity units lower than the press-input intensitythreshold or the hysteresis intensity threshold is 75%, 90% or somereasonable proportion of the press-input intensity threshold). Thus, insome embodiments, the press input includes an increase in intensity ofthe respective contact above the press-input intensity threshold and asubsequent decrease in intensity of the contact below the hysteresisintensity threshold that corresponds to the press-input intensitythreshold, and the respective operation is performed in response todetecting the subsequent decrease in intensity of the respective contactbelow the hysteresis intensity threshold (e.g., an “up stroke” of therespective press input). Similarly, in some embodiments, the press inputis detected only when the device detects an increase in intensity of thecontact from an intensity at or below the hysteresis intensity thresholdto an intensity at or above the press-input intensity threshold and,optionally, a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact to anintensity at or below the hysteresis intensity, and the respectiveoperation is performed in response to detecting the press input (e.g.,the increase in intensity of the contact or the decrease in intensity ofthe contact, depending on the circumstances).

For ease of explanation, the description of operations performed inresponse to a press input associated with a press-input intensitythreshold or in response to a gesture including the press input are,optionally, triggered in response to detecting either: an increase inintensity of a contact above the press-input intensity threshold, anincrease in intensity of a contact from an intensity below thehysteresis intensity threshold to an intensity above the press-inputintensity threshold, a decrease in intensity of the contact below thepress-input intensity threshold, and/or a decrease in intensity of thecontact below the hysteresis intensity threshold corresponding to thepress-input intensity threshold. Additionally, in examples where anoperation is described as being performed in response to detecting adecrease in intensity of a contact below the press-input intensitythreshold, the operation is, optionally, performed in response todetecting a decrease in intensity of the contact below a hysteresisintensity threshold corresponding to, and lower than, the press-inputintensity threshold.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary architecture for thedevice 500 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. In theembodiment of FIG. 5 , media content is optionally received by device500 via network interface 502, which is optionally a wireless or wiredconnection. The one or more processors 504 optionally execute any numberof programs stored in memory 506 or storage, which optionally includesinstructions to perform one or more of the methods and/or processesdescribed herein (e.g., methods 700, 900, 1100, 1300, and/or 1500).

In some embodiments, display controller 508 causes the various userinterfaces of the disclosure to be displayed on display 500. Further,input to device 500 is optionally provided by remote 510 via remoteinterface 512, which is optionally a wireless or a wired connection. Itis understood that the embodiment of FIG. 5 is not meant to limit thefeatures of the device of the disclosure, and that other components tofacilitate other features described in the disclosure are optionallyincluded in the architecture of FIG. 5 as well. In some embodiments,device 500 optionally corresponds to one or more of multifunction device100 in FIGS. 1A and 2 and device 300 in FIG. 3 ; network interface 502optionally corresponds to one or more of RF circuitry 108, external port124, and peripherals interface 118 in FIGS. 1A and 2 , and networkcommunications interface 360 in FIG. 3 ; processor 504 optionallycorresponds to one or more of processor(s) 120 in FIG. 1A and CPU(s) 310in FIG. 3 ; display controller 508 optionally corresponds to one or moreof display controller 156 in FIG. 1A and I/O interface 330 in FIG. 3 ;memory 506 optionally corresponds to one or more of memory 102 in FIG.1A and memory 370 in FIG. 3 ; remote interface 512 optionallycorresponds to one or more of peripherals interface 118, and I/Osubsystem 106 (and/or its components) in FIG. 1A, and I/O interface 330in FIG. 3 ; remote 512 optionally corresponds to and or includes one ormore of speaker 111, touch-sensitive display system 112, microphone 113,optical sensor(s) 164, contact intensity sensor(s) 165, tactile outputgenerator(s) 167, other input control devices 116, accelerometer(s) 168,proximity sensor 166, and I/O subsystem 106 in FIG. 1A, andkeyboard/mouse 350, touchpad 355, tactile output generator(s) 357, andcontact intensity sensor(s) 359 in FIG. 3 , and touch-sensitive surface451 in FIG. 4 ; and, display 514 optionally corresponds to one or moreof touch-sensitive display system 112 in FIGS. 1A and 2 , and display340 in FIG. 3 .

User Interfaces and Associated Processes Column User Interface

Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces that allow a userto navigate through numerous content items. There is a need to provide afast, efficient, and convenient way for users to navigate through andselect content items for consumption (e.g., viewing, listening, etc.).The embodiments described below provide a fast, efficient, andconvenient way for users to navigate through and select content itemsfor consumption using a column user interface.

FIGS. 6A-6NN illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating throughand selecting content items in accordance with some embodiments. Theuser interfaces in these figures are used to illustrate the processesdescribed below, including the processes described below with referenceto FIGS. 7A-7E.

FIGS. 6A-6U illustrate an example of a column user interface. A columnuser interface is displayed on display 514 of a device (e.g., device500) and is responsive to user input, such as on touch-sensitive surface451 and/or remote 510. The column user interface in FIGS. 6A-6U includescolumns 6002-1, 6002-2, 6002-3, 6002-4, 6002-5, and 6002-6. The columnsinclude headings “On Now”, “Watch List”, “TV Shows”, “Movies”, “Sports”,and “Just Kids”, respectively. The columns include one or more menuitems that are optionally selected by a user to access content and/ornavigate through further user interfaces, among other possibilities.

For example, the menu items in the “On Now” column 6002-1 eachcorrespond to video content that is currently airing live, and a usercan view the corresponding video content by selecting one of the menuitems. Menu items corresponding to live video content, such as menuitems 6004-1, 6004-2, 6004-3, and 6004-4, are optionally represented inthe user interface by live video. The menu items in the “Watch List”column 6002-2 each correspond to video content that is available to viewon-demand, and a user can view the corresponding on-demand video contentby selecting one of the menu items in the “Watch List” column. Menuitems corresponding to live video content, such as menu items 6006-1,6006-2, 6006-3, 6006-4, and 6006-5, are optionally represented in theuser interface by one or more still images and/or text. Further, thetext optionally indicates a number of unwatched episodes of a contentseries corresponding to the menu item. For example, menu item 6006-1indicates that the user has three unwatched episodes of Game of Thronesin the watch list.

In FIG. 6B, column 6002-2 is currently highlighted, as indicated bycolumn focus indicators 6010-1 and 6010-2. Further, the heading “WatchList” 6014 is currently highlighted, as indicated by item focusindicator 6008. Upon receiving user input selected the heading “WatchList” 6014, a “Watch List” column interface (as illustrated in FIGS.6V-6BB) is optionally presented on the display 514. In FIG. 6C, column6002-2 remains highlighted, and now the menu item “Game of Thrones”6006-1 is highlighted by item focus indicator 6008. Focus is,optionally, changed in response to detecting input by the user using aninput device, such as remote 510. For example, a down button isoptionally pressed on the remote, or a swipe down gesture is optionallyreceived on the remote, and in response a down navigation operation isoptionally received and the item focus indicator 6008 optionally movesdown from the “Watch List” heading 6014 to the menu item “Game ofThrones” 6006-1, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B-6C. In FIG. 6D, the itemfocus indicator 6008 moves down to the next menu item “Mad Men” 6006-2.

In some embodiments, a background color of the user interface optionallychanges based on the menu item that is currently highlighted. Forexample, the logo of “Game of Thrones” contains the color brown, andthus the background of the user interface may be brown when the “Game ofThrones” menu item 6006-1 is highlighted by the item focus indicator6008. The logo of “Mad Men” contains the color red, and thus thebackground of the user interface may be red when the “Mad Men” menu item6006-2 is highlighted by the item focus indicator 6008.

In FIG. 6E, column 6002-3 is currently highlighted, as indicated bycolumn focus indicators 6010-1 and 6010-2. Further the menu item “MadMen” 6012 is currently highlighted, as indicated by the item focusindicator 6008. Receiving a right navigation operation optionally causesthe item focus indicator 6008 to move from one column (e.g., column6002-2) to a column adjacent to the right (e.g., column 6002-3), asillustrated in FIGS. 6D-6E.

In some embodiments, one or more columns optionally have multiple menuitems on a row, as illustrated in FIGS. 6F-6I. In FIGS. 6F-6I, each rowof column 6002-3 has multiple menu items. For example, menu items 6016-1and 6016-2 are in the same row in column 6002-3. In such a case, a rightnavigation operation does not always navigate to the next column. InFIGS. 6F-6I, a series of three right navigation operations optionallynavigates from menu item 6006-2 (FIG. 6F), to menu item 6016-1 (FIG.6G), to menu item 6016-2 (FIG. 6H), and to menu item 6018 (FIG. 6I).However, in this example, only the first and third right navigationoperations navigate to the next column—the second right navigationoperation only moves from 6016-1 to 6016-2 within column 6002-3.

FIGS. 6J-6M illustrate horizontal scrolling of columns in the columninterface. In some embodiments, one or more columns are optionallyoffscreen, and the user can scroll the columns to navigate to additionalcolumns. For example, FIGS. 6K, 6L, and 6M illustrate additional column6002-6, labeled “Just Kids”, which is offscreen in FIG. 6J, move ontothe display 514.

In FIGS. 6J-6M, the position of the highlighted column with respect tothe display 514 is optionally proportional to the highlighted column'sposition with respect to the other columns. In FIG. 6J, column 6002-2 ishighlighted, and its position is approximately one-third the length ofthe display 514 from the left edge of the display because column 6002-2is the second column of six columns. In FIG. 6K, column 6002-3 ishighlighted, and its position is approximately one-half the length ofthe display 514 from the left edge of the display because column 6002-3is the third column of six columns. In FIG. 6L, column 6002-4 ishighlighted, and its position is approximately two-thirds the length ofthe display 514 from the left edge of the display because column 6002-4is the fourth column of six columns. In FIG. 6M, column 6002-6 ishighlighted, and its position is approximately the full length of thedisplay 514 from the left edge of the display because column 6002-6 isthe sixth column of six columns.

FIGS. 6N-6P illustrate vertical scrolling of column in the columninterface. Although the columns optionally scroll together horizontally(as illustrated in FIGS. 6J-6M), FIGS. 6N-6P illustrate column 6002-2scrolling vertically independently of the other columns. In someembodiments, one or more menu items of a column are optionallyoffscreen, and the user can scroll a column to navigate to additionalmenu items. For example, FIG. 6P illustrates additional menu item6006-6, labeled “Road House”, which is offscreen in FIGS. 6N and 60 ,moving onto the display 514.

FIGS. 6Q-6U illustrate vertical scrolling of a column with stickyheadings 6020-1, 6020-2, 6020-3, and 6020-4 in the column interface. Asthe column 6002-3 is scrolled vertically, each of headings 6020-1,6020-2, 6020-3, and 6020-4 stops scrolling at the top of the column asmenu items below it continue to scroll. For example, the menu itemsbeneath heading 6020-1 scroll up into the heading and disappear in FIGS.6Q, 6R, and 6S. As heading 6020-2 approaches heading 6020-1 in FIGS. 6Sand 6T, the heading 6020-2 replaces heading 6020-1 and at the top of thecolumn and stops scrolling as the menu items below heading 6020-2continue to scroll. The menu items beneath heading 6020-2 scroll up intothe heading and disappear in FIGS. 6S, 6T, and 6U.

FIGS. 6V-6BB illustrate a watch list column interface according to someembodiments. The column interface described herein optionally allows auser to navigate a hierarchy of columns. For example, a user optionallyselects the “Watch List” heading 6014 of column 6002-2 in the first setof columns in FIG. 6A to navigate to the second set of columns in thewatch list column interface in FIGS. 6V-6BB, and a plurality of the menuitems in column 6002-2 correspond to columns in the watch list columninterface in FIGS. 6V-6BB.

In some embodiments, a plurality of the menu items in a column in afirst set of columns are optionally grouped together in a single columnin a second set of columns. For example, FIG. 6V illustrates a pluralityof episodes of “Game of Thrones” as menu items 6026-1, 6026-2, and6026-3 in column 6022-1. If a user selects the column header 6024, thena second set of columns may be displayed on display 514, with the firstepisode 6026-1 displayed in its own column, and the remaining episodes6026-2 and 6026-3 grouped as menu items in an additional column.

FIGS. 6W-6BB illustrate various embodiments of indicating a highlightedcolumn. In FIGS. 6W and 6X, the highlighted column is indicated bycolumn focus indicators 6010-1 and 6010-2. In FIGS. 6Y and 6Z, thehighlighted column is indicated by increasing the width of thehighlighted column relative to the other columns. In FIGS. 6AA and 6BB,the highlighted column is indicated by displaying more information inthe highlighted column relative to the other columns.

FIGS. 6CC-6DD illustrate a content series page column interfaceaccording to some embodiments. For example, a content series page asillustrated in FIGS. 6CC and 6DD is optionally displayed on the display514 in response to selection of menu item 6006-2 in FIG. 6A or header6032 in FIG. 6V. A splash area 6028 optionally includes a still imagecorresponding to the content series, the title of the content series,and other information corresponding to the content series. A pluralityof columns 6030-1, 6030-2, 6030-3, 6030-4, and 6030-5 are optionallydisplayed in the content series page column interface. In FIG. 6DD, an“Extras” column 6030-5 includes menu items corresponding to contentintelligently selected based on its relation to the content series. Forexample, column 6030-5 includes menu items corresponding to clips oftalk shows starring cast members of the content series and a clip of aparody of the content series.

FIG. 6EE illustrates a recent content column interface according to someembodiments. The columns 6034-1, 6034-2, 6034-3, 6034-4, and 6034-5 eachcorrespond to recently viewed content in a particular category.

FIGS. 6FF-6MM illustrate a search column interface according to someembodiments. The columns optionally include search entry column 6036-1,search suggestions column 6036-2, and search results column 6036-3. Auser optionally enters letters into the partial search term 6038 usingthe onscreen keyboard 6040. As the letters are entered, both the searchsuggestions column 6036-2 and the search results column 6036-3 areautomatically updated. While the letters are being entered, the searchresults optionally reflect an incremental search with results thatliterally begin with the partial search term 6038. For example, in FIG.6FF, the partial search term 6038 is “s”, so all the results in column6036-3 begin with “s”. Likewise, in FIG. 6GG, the partial search term6038 is “su”, so all the results in column 6036-3 begin with “su”. Andin FIG. 6HH, the partial search term 6038 is “super”, so all the resultsin column 3036-3 begin with “super”. However, once a search suggestionis highlighted in search suggestions column 6036-2, the search resultscolumn 6036-3 optionally reflect a search of the search suggestion.Thus, in FIG. 6JJ, the suggestion “superheroes” is selected, and theresults in column 6036-3 are content items about superheroes (e.g.,superhero movies). In FIGS. 6KK and 6LL, the menu items of the searchresults column 6036-3 are navigated to optionally select one of theresults (as in FIG. 6KK) or add the search to a watch list (as in FIG.6LL). Adding a search to a watch list optionally populates the watchlist with the search results. FIG. 6MM illustrates a search resultscolumn interface which is optionally displayed in response to selectionof the search results heading 6042. In FIG. 6MM, each column correspondsto a menu item of the search results column 6036-3 in FIGS. 6FF-6LL.

FIG. 6NN illustrates a sports column interface according to someembodiments. A sports column interface is optionally displayed ondisplay 514 in response to selection of the sports heading 6044 in FIGS.6A-6U. The sports column interface optionally includes columns 6046-1,6046-2, and 6046-3, corresponding to yesterday, today, and tomorrow,respectively, although additional columns may correspond to additionaldays, in some embodiments. The menu items in column 6046-1 correspond togames that have already been played and are available for viewingon-demand. Selection of any of the menu items in column 6046-1optionally causes playback of the corresponding game or highlights ofthe corresponding game, among other possibilities. Menu item 6048-1 inthe today column 6046-2 corresponds to a game currently airing live, andthe menu item 6048-1 is optionally represented by live video of the livegame. Selection of the menu item 6048-1 optionally changes to thechannel on which the live game is currently airing. Selection ofupcoming games 6048-2, 6048-3, or any menu items in column 6046-3optionally prompts the user to add the corresponding game to a watchlist, or to display more information about the corresponding game, amongother possibilities.

FIGS. 7A-7E are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing acolumn user interface in accordance with some embodiments. The method isoptionally performed at an electronic device as described above withreference to FIGS. 1A-B and 2-5 (e.g., electronic device 100, 300, or500, etc.). Some operations in method 700 are, optionally, combinedand/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 700 provides ways in which a device candisplay a column user interface. The method reduces the cognitive burdenon a user when interacting with a user interface on the device byproviding an intuitive user interface for selecting content items,thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. Forbattery-operated electronic devices, increasing the efficiency of theuser's interaction with the user interfaces conserves power andincreases the time between battery charges.

In some embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., a set top box or otheruser interface generating device that is in communication with a displaydevice) with one or more processors and memory provides (702), fordisplay on a display device (e.g., a separate display such as atelevision or computer monitor, or an integrated display that is part ofthe electronic device), a user interface including a first set ofcolumns. Two or more columns in the first set of columns each includetwo or more menu items (e.g., text, images, and/or video content, someor all of which may optionally include links to content, applications,and/or other user interfaces). For example, FIGS. 6A-6NN illustrate userinterfaces with sets of columns (e.g., columns 6002-1, 6002-2, 6002-3,6002-4, 6002-5, and 6002-6). Each of the example columns has two or moremenu items (e.g., menu items 6004-1, 6004-2, 6004-3, and 6004-4 incolumn 6002-1 and menu items 6006-1, 6006-2, 6006-3, 6006-4, and 6006-5in column 6002-2). In some embodiments, the user interface optionallyhas (706) at least one background color.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns are optionally configured(704) to move together when scrolled in a first direction (e.g., ahorizontal direction) and to move separately when scrolled in a seconddirection (e.g., a vertical direction) that is different from the firstdirection (e.g., when scrolling horizontally, all the columns arescrolled, and when scrolling vertically, only a selected column isscrolled; and when scrolling horizontally, the onscreen horizontalposition of the selected column may be proportional to the relativeposition of the selected column among the total plurality of columns,including those that are offscreen). For example, FIGS. 6J-6M illustratethe columns 6002-1, 6002-2, 6002-3, 6002-4, 6002-5, and 6002-6 movingtogether when scrolled horizontally from right to left. Further, FIGS.6N-6P illustrate the column 6002-2 moving separately from the othercolumns when scrolled horizontally.

In some embodiments, the electronic device receives (718) a selectioninput. In response (720) to receiving the selection input, in accordancewith a determination that the selection input corresponds to selectionof a first column (e.g., an input selecting a heading of the firstcolumn, such as a “Watch List” heading for a Watch List column), theelectronic device provides (722), for display on the display device, asecond set of columns (different from the first set of columns). Two ormore of the columns in the second set of columns correspond to differentsubsets of menu items that were displayed in the first column that wasselected in response to the selection input (e.g., each column in thesecond set of columns corresponds to an item in the user's Watch List)(and one or more additional columns, e.g., each subset is an episode ofa television series, and the one or more additional columns includeextra content related to the television series). In some embodiments, afirst column in the second set of columns optionally corresponds (724)to a first menu item from the first column (and only the first menuitem), and a second column in the second set of columns optionallycorresponds to a second menu item from the first column that isdifferent from (e.g., distinct from) the first menu item from the firstcolumn (and only the second menu item). For example, FIG. 6B illustratesselection of a “Watch List” heading of a watch list column 6002-2,resulting in a set of watch list columns illustrated in FIG. 6V. Severalof the watch list columns in FIG. 6V correspond to different subsets ofmenu items in the watch list column 6002-2 in FIG. 6B (e.g., “Chronicle”menu item 6006-3 corresponds to “Chronicle” column 6022-3, “WALL-E” menuitem 6006-4 corresponds to “WALL-E” column 6022-4, etc.).

In some embodiments, a first column in the second set of columnsoptionally corresponds (726) to a first plurality of the menu items fromthe first column, and a second column in the second set of columnsoptionally corresponds to a second plurality of the menu items from thefirst column that is different from (e.g., distinct from) the firstplurality of menu items from the first column (e.g., a subset for eachletter in the alphabet, a subset for each artist in a music collection,a subset for each television series in a Watch List, etc.). For example,FIG. 6V illustrates a plurality of episodes of “Veep” grouped in column6022-5.

In some embodiments, in response (720) to the selection input, inaccordance with a determination that the selection input corresponds toselection of a menu item from the first column (e.g., an input selectinga representation of an episode of a television show from the Watch Listcolumn) the electronic device optionally provides (730), for display onthe display device, a user interface associated with the menu item thatwas selected (e.g., content associated with the menu item, a set ofcolumns associated with the menu item, a grid associated with the menuitem, a set of rows associated with the menu item, etc.). In someembodiments, the menu item optionally corresponds (732) to a contentseries (e.g., a television series, a miniseries, a set of webisodes,among other possibilities) that includes a plurality of episodes, and arespective episode of the plurality of episodes is in a watch list(e.g., a list of movies, content series, episodes, music actors, genres,searches, etc.). For example, FIG. 6D illustrates selection of a “MadMen” menu item 6006-2, resulting in a user interface associated with thecontent series “Mad Men” as illustrated in FIG. 6CC.

In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally generates (734)one or more links to ancillary content related to the respective episode(e.g., a clip of a talk show featuring an actor from the episode, a clipof a parody of the episode, a song featured in the episode, among otherpossibilities), and the second set of columns optionally includes theone or more links to ancillary content related to the respectiveepisode. For example, FIG. 6DD illustrates column 6030-5 comprising aplurality of links to ancillary content related to an episode of thecontent series “Mad Men”.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns are optionally scrolled(736) in a first direction. A selected column display position (e.g., ahorizontal position on the display given with respect to the userinterface) is optionally determined (738) based on a position of acurrently selected column with respect to a total number of theplurality of columns (e.g., the position may be the first column oftwelve total columns, or the sixth column of six total columns). Theplurality of columns are optionally scrolled (740) such that thecurrently selected column moves to the selected column display positionon the display device (e.g., if there are 100 total columns, includingthose that are currently offscreen, and the selected column is the 20thcolumn, then the selected column may have a horizontal position that is20% of the total horizontal display length; similarly, if there are 100total columns, and the selected column is the 90th column, then theselected column may have a horizontal position that is 90% of the totaldisplay length, etc.). For example, FIGS. 6J-6M illustrate the columns6002-1, 6002-2, 6002-3, 6002-4, 6002-5, and 6002-6 with proportionalscrolling, as described above with reference to FIGS. 6J-6M.

In some embodiments, second input to advance from the first column to asecond column is optionally received (742), and in response to thesecond input, a visual characteristic of one or both of the first columnand the second column is optionally altered (744). In some embodiments,altering the visual characteristic optionally includes increasing (746)a visual emphasis of the second column relative to a visual emphasis ofthe first column (e.g., by increasing a brightness, contrast, opacity,saturation, or other visual property of the second column). For example,FIGS. 6W and 6X illustrate increasing a visual emphasis of column 6022-3when navigation advances from column 6022-2 to column 6022-3. In someembodiments, altering the visual characteristic optionally includesdisplaying (748) additional information on the second column (and/orremoving information from the first column). For example, FIGS. 6AA and6BB illustrate displaying additional information of column 6022-3 whennavigation advances from column 6022-2 to column 6022-3. In someembodiments, altering the visual characteristic optionally includesincreasing (750) a spatial property of the second column relative to aspatial property of the first column (e.g., by increasing a width,height, z position, or other spatial property of the second column). Forexample, FIGS. 6Y and 6Z illustrate increasing a width of column 6022-3when navigation advances from column 6022-2 to column 6022-3.

In some embodiments, second input is optionally received (752) toadvance from a first menu item of the first column to a second menu itemof the first column. In response, a color associated with a logo of thesecond menu item is optionally obtained (754), and the background colorof the user interface is optionally altered (756) in accordance with thecolor associated with the logo of the second menu item. For example,FIGS. 6C and 6D illustrate navigation advancing from menu item 6006-1 tomenu item 6006-2, and a background color of the user interfaceoptionally changes as described above with reference to FIGS. 6C and 6D.

In some embodiments, the first column optionally includes (728) firstand second headings (e.g., sub-headings of the first column). Ascrolling input corresponding to the first column is optionally received(758). In response (760) to the scrolling input, the menu items of thefirst column are optionally scrolled (762), where the first headingremains stationary during the scrolling of the menu items of the firstcolumn. The first heading is optionally scrolled (764) off an edge ofthe user interface, such that the first heading is no longer visible inthe user interface after scrolling the first heading off the edge of theuser interface. The first heading is optionally replaced (766) with thesecond heading, such that the second heading remains stationary duringscrolling after replacing the first heading. For example, FIGS. 6Q-6Uillustrate vertical scrolling of a column 6002-3 with sticky headings6020-1, 6020-2, 6020-3, and 6020-4.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns is optionally generatedbased on a partial search term (708). A search suggestions column in thefirst set of columns is optionally generated (770) for display. Thesearch suggestions column optionally comprises a plurality of searchsuggestions, and a respective search suggestion of the plurality ofsearch suggestions is optionally highlighted. A search results column inthe first set of columns is optionally generated (772) for display. Thesearch suggestions column optionally comprises a plurality of searchresults corresponding to the respective search suggestion. A selectionof the respective search suggestion is optionally received (774), and inresponse to the selection of the respective search suggestion, aplurality of search results columns is optionally generated (776) fordisplay, including two or more search results columns that eachcorrespond to one search result of the plurality of search results. Forexample, FIGS. 6FF-6LL illustrate a search user interface includingsearch results column 6036-6, and FIG. 6MM illustrates a correspondingsearch results column interface, with columns corresponding to thesearch results in search results column 6036-6.

In some embodiments, providing the user interface including the firstset of columns optionally includes generating (710) representations of aplurality of content items including a plurality of on-demand contentitems (e.g., content items stored locally at the electronic device orother local storage, or content items stored remotely at a server) and aplurality of live content items (e.g., content items live streaming overthe internet, live broadcast content items, or other live contentitems). Two or more of the representations of on-demand content itemsoptionally include static images (e.g., a movie poster, production art,a screenshot, or other placeholder image) corresponding to the on-demandcontent, and two or more of the representations of live content itemsoptionally include live video corresponding to the live content. In someembodiments, the live video optionally includes (712) live video of alive sporting event, and the static images optionally represent one ormore of completed sporting events, upcoming sporting events, andhighlight reels. For example, FIG. 6NN illustrates a sports userinterface including live video 6048-1 of a live sporting event, andstatic images (such as menu items 6048-2 and 6048-3) representingupcoming sporting events.

In some embodiments, it is optionally determined (778) whether a firstcontent item of the plurality of content items is an on-demand contentitem or a live content item. In accordance with a determination that thefirst content item is an on-demand content item, a static imagecorresponding to the on-demand content item is optionally obtained(780). In accordance with a determination that the first content item isa live content item, a live video corresponding to the live content itemis optionally obtained (784). In some embodiments, obtaining the staticimage optionally includes capturing the static image from videocorresponding to the on-demand content item. For example, FIG. 6Aillustrates live content items 6004-1, 6004-2, 6004-3, and 6004-4, andon-demand content items 6006-1, 6006-2, 6006-3, 6006-4, and 6006-5. Thestatic image for 6006-4 is optionally obtained by capturing the imagefrom the corresponding “WALL-E” video content.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns optionally includes (714)a first recent content column and a second recent content column. Eachof the first and second recent content columns optionally includescontent corresponding to a different category of recent content (e.g., arecent TV column, a recent movies column, a recent songs column, etc.).In some embodiments, the first recent content column only includes (716)content that has been viewed past a predetermined threshold (e.g., onlycontent that has been viewed for at least 8 minutes, only content thathas been viewed at least 10% of its running time, etc.; and thethreshold may be different for different content categories, forexample, television may have a 2 minute threshold, movies may have a 10minutes threshold, and songs may have a 30 second threshold, etc.). Forexample, FIG. 6EE illustrates a recent content column user interfacewith recent content columns 6034-2, 6034-3, 6034-4, and 6034-5, eachcorresponding to recent music, recent TV, recent movies, and recentsports, respectively.

In some embodiments, the first column of the first set of columns isoptionally (786) a first type of column (e.g., a column with only asingle menu item in each row of the column) and a second column of thefirst set of columns is optionally a second type of column (e.g., acolumn with multiple menu items in one or more rows of the columns).While the first column is selected, a first navigation input (e.g., aswipe left or a swipe right) is optionally received (788). In responseto receiving the first navigation input, a different column of the firstset of columns is optionally selected (790) (e.g., a column immediatelyto the left or the right of the first column). While the second columnis selected, a second navigation input (e.g., a swipe left or a swiperight) is optionally received (792). In response to receiving the secondnavigation input, selection of the second column is optionallymaintained (794) and multiple menu items in a row of the second columnare optionally navigated among. For example, FIGS. 6F-6I illustratecolumn 6002-2 being a column with only a single menu item in each row(e.g., menu item 6006-2), and column 6002-3 being a column with twoitems in each row (e.g., menu items 6016-1 and 6016-2). A firstnavigation input moves the selection from column 6002-2 in FIG. 6F tocolumn 6002-3 in FIG. 6G. However, a second navigation input moves theselection within column 6002-3 from menu item 6016-1 in FIG. 6G to menuitem 6016-2 in FIG. 6H, and selection of column 6002-3 is maintained.

The operations in the information processing methods described aboveare, optionally, implemented by running one or more functional modulesin an information processing apparatus such as general purposeprocessors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3 ) orapplication specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 7A-7E are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, providing operation 702, receiving operation 718, and providingoperation 722 are, optionally implemented by event sorter 170, eventrecognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, and eventdispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to application136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1 comparesthe event information to respective event definitions 186, anddetermines whether a first contact at a first location on thetouch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event,such as selection of an object on a user interface. When a respectivepredefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of theevent or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls dataupdater 176 or object updater 177 to update the application internalstate 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respectiveGUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by the application.Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in theart how other processes can be implemented based on the componentsdepicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 7A-7E have been described is merely exemplary and isnot intended to indicate that the described order is the only order inwhich the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 900, 1100, 1300 and 1500) are also applicable in an analogousmanner to method 700 described above with respect to FIGS. 7A-7E. Forexample, the user interfaces, columns, menu items, content items, anddisplay devices described above with reference to method 700 optionallyhave one or more of the characteristics of the user interfaces, columnsmenu items, content items, and display devices described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 900, 1100,1300 and 1500). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

Translucent Menu

Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces that overlay someother visual content. The sudden display of a new graphical userinterface can be jarring to a smooth user experience. The embodimentsdescribed below provide a smooth transition to a graphical userinterface by first displaying a translucent graphical user interfaceover visual content, and then decreasing the degree of translucency asthe user continues to interact with the interface.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate exemplary translucent user interfaces inaccordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figuresare used to illustrate processes described below, including theprocesses described below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an example of a translucent user interface. Auser interface is displayed on display 514 of a device (e.g., device500) and is responsive to user input, such as on touch-sensitive surface451 and/or remote 510. The user interface in FIGS. 8A-8B includescolumns 8002-1 and 8002-2 overlaid in the user interface over visualcontent 8006 in the background (e.g., playing video content, pausedvideo content, a still image, etc.). At least one portion of the userinterface is translucent with a first degree of translucency such thatan indication of the background visual content 8006 is visible throughthe translucent portion. For example, the non-text and non-imageportions of column 8002-2 are optionally translucent with a first degreeof translucency. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate navigation from column8002-1 to column 8002-2. Based on the navigation to the right, the firstdegree of translucency may decrease from the first degree oftranslucency to a second degree of translucency, such that theindication of the background visual content 8006 is less visible throughthe translucent portion. In some embodiments, based on navigation in theopposite direction (e.g., from column 8002-2 back to column 8002-1), thedegree of translucency of the translucent portion optionally increasesfrom the second degree back to the first degree. In some embodiments,any further interaction, in any direction, optionally causes thetranslucency to continue decreasing until the user interface is opaquewith respect to the background visual content 8006.

FIGS. 8C-8D illustrate another example of a translucent user interface.The user interface is overlaid over visual content 8006 in thebackground of the user interface. At least one portion of the userinterface is translucent with a first degree of translucency such thatan indication of the background visual content 8006 is visible throughthe translucent portion. The user interface includes checkbox 8004, andFIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate the checkbox changing state from unchecked tochecked, optionally in response to selection of the checkbox. Checkingthe checkbox optionally causes the translucent portion of the userinterface to decrease its translucency from the first degree oftranslucency to a second degree of translucency.

FIGS. 9A-9C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing a userinterface with translucent portions in accordance with some embodiments.The method is optionally performed at an electronic device as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1A-B and 2-5 (e.g., electronic device 100,300, or 500, etc.). Some operations in method 900 are, optionally,combined and/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 900 provides ways in which a device candisplay a user interface with translucent portions. The method reducesthe cognitive burden on a user when interacting with a user interface onthe device by providing a smooth and intuitive user interface forselecting content items, thereby creating a more efficient human-machineinterface. For battery-operated electronic devices, increasing theefficiency of the user's interaction with the user interfaces conservespower and increases the time between battery charges.

In some embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., a set top box or otheruser interface generating device that is in communication with a displaydevice) with one or more processors and memory, while a user interfacethat includes visual content (e.g., video, still image, animation, etc.)is displayed on a display, receives (902) a request to display a menufor controlling the visual content that is displayed in the userinterface.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving the request to display themenu, the electronic device provides (904), for display on the displaydevice, an updated user interface that includes the menu, where the menuincludes at least one translucent portion with a first degree (oramount) of translucency (in some examples, the whole menu istranslucent), so that an indication of the visual content in the userinterface can be seen through the translucent portion of the menu inaccordance with the first degree of translucency. In some embodiments,the menu optionally includes (906) a first set of columns, two or morecolumns in the first set of columns each including two or more menuitems (e.g., text, images, and/or video content, some or all of whichmay optionally include links to content, applications, and/or other userinterfaces). For example, FIG. 8A illustrates a user interface includingcolumns 8002-1 and 8002-2, and at least a portion of the columns areoptionally translucent such that visual content 8006 can be seen throughthe translucent portion.

In some embodiments, while the menu with the translucent portion isdisplayed on the display device, the electronic device receives (908) arequest to perform an operation in the menu (e.g., a menu navigationoperation such as switching from displaying one column to displayinganother column or advancing from a first menu item to a second menuitem). In some embodiments, the menu operation is optionally (910) anavigation operation that corresponds to a request to move the menu in arespective direction.

In some embodiments, in response (912) to receiving the request toperform the operation in the menu, the electronic device performs (914)the operation in the menu. For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate anavigation operation from column 8002-1 to column 8002-2.

In some embodiments, performing the operation in the menu optionallyincludes (916) changing a state of an item in the menu (e.g., selectinga menu item, activating a checkbox, or manipulating a slider, amongother possibilities). Thus, in some embodiments, performing theoperation in the menu includes performing an operation other than merelynavigating through the menu (e.g., by scrolling through items in themenu). For example, FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate checking a checkbox 8004in column 8002-1.

Further in response (912) to receiving the request to perform theoperation in the menu, the electronic device changes (918) thetranslucency of the translucent portion of the menu from the firstdegree of translucency to a second degree of translucency that isdifferent from the first degree of translucency (e.g., once the user hasindicated an intention to interact with the menu, the visual propertiesof the menu are changed so as to make the menu more legible). Forexample, in FIGS. 8B and 8D, the translucency of a portion of theinterface may different from the translucency in FIGS. 8A and 8C,respectively, such that the background visual content 8006 is lessvisible in FIGS. 8B and 8D than in FIGS. 8A and 8C.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that therespective direction is a first direction, the translucency of thetranslucent portion of the menu is optionally increased (920). Forexample, FIG. 8A to 8B illustrates navigation to the right andtranslucency of the translucent portion decreasing, such that thebackground visual content 8006 is less visible in FIG. 8B than in FIG.8A. In accordance with a determination that the respective direction isa second direction that is different from (e.g., opposite to) the firstdirection, the translucency of the translucent portion of the menu isoptionally decreased (922). For example, FIG. 8B to 8A illustratesnavigation to the left and translucency of the translucent portionincreasing, such that background visual content 8006 is more visible inFIG. 8A than in FIG. 8B.

In some embodiments, while the menu with the translucent portion isdisplayed on the display device, a request is optionally received (924)to perform a navigation operation in a second direction (e.g., adirection opposite the first direction). In response to receiving therequest to perform the navigation operation in the second direction, thenavigation operation is optionally performed (926) in the seconddirection, and the translucency of the translucent portion of the menuis optionally reduced (928).

In some embodiments, while the menu with the translucent portion isdisplayed on the display device, a request is optionally received (930)to dismiss the menu. In response to receiving the request to dismiss themenu, the user interface including the visual content and not includingthe menu is optionally provided (932) for display on the display device.In some embodiments, the visual content optionally includes (934) videocontent. The video content is optionally paused (936) in response toreceiving the request to display the menu, and the video content isoptionally resumed (938) in response to receiving the request to dismissthe menu.

The operations in the information processing methods described aboveare, optionally, implemented by running one or more functional modulesin an information processing apparatus such as general purposeprocessors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3 ) orapplication specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, receiving operation 902, providing operation 904, receivingoperation 908, performing operation 914, and changing operation 918 are,optionally implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, andevent handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter 170 detects acontact on touch-sensitive display 112, and event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to application 136-1. A respective eventrecognizer 180 of application 136-1 compares the event information torespective event definitions 186, and determines whether a first contactat a first location on the touch-sensitive surface corresponds to apredefined event or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a userinterface. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected,event recognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with thedetection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionallyutilizes or calls data updater 176 or object updater 177 to update theapplication internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by theapplication. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinaryskill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on thecomponents depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 9A-9C have been described is merely exemplary and isnot intended to indicate that the described order is the only order inwhich the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 700, 1100, 1300 and 1500) are also applicable in an analogousmanner to method 900 described above with respect to FIGS. 9A-9C. Forexample, the user interfaces, columns, menu items, content items, anddisplay devices described above with reference to method 900 optionallyhave one or more of the characteristics of the user interfaces, columnsmenu items, content items, and display devices described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 700, 1100,1300 and 1500). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

Gradual User Interface

Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces that overlay someother visual content. The sudden display of a new graphical userinterface can be jarring to a smooth user experience. The embodimentsdescribed below provide a smooth transition to a graphical userinterface by presenting a first column after a column display condition(e.g., detecting presence of a user, detecting motion proximate theelectronic device, or detecting a face of a user using an opticalsensor, among other possibilities) has been met, and then graduallypresenting additional columns of a column user interface after input isreceived (e.g., a swipe, a tap, or other input to expose one or moreadditional columns, among other possibilities).

FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate the gradual display of a column user interfaceover content (e.g., passive content) in accordance with someembodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustrateprocesses described below, including the processes described below withreference to FIGS. 11A-11B.

FIG. 10A illustrates display of passive content including time, date,and weather information 10002. Other passive content optionally includesa splash image, a screen saver, a background image, etc. In someembodiments, the column user interface is optionally gradually displayedover active content, such as video content.

FIGS. 10B-10D illustrate an animation of a first column 10004-1 emergingfrom a right edge of display 514. In some embodiments, a first column10004-1 optionally appears in response to a column display condition(e.g., detecting presence of a user, detecting motion proximate theelectronic device, or detecting a face of a user using an opticalsensor, among other possibilities). The first column 10004-1 optionallygradually emerges in an animation until it is fully onscreen, asillustrated in FIG. 10C. In some embodiments, the first column 10004-1gradually emerges in an animation until it is fully onscreen and aportion of a second column 10004-2 is optionally also visible, asillustrated in FIG. 10D.

FIGS. 10D-10F illustrate an animation of a plurality of columns 10004-1,10004-2, 10004-3, 10004-4, and 10004-5 gradually emerging until theplurality of columns are all visible on the display 514. In thisexample, the plurality of columns occupies a portion of the display fromthe left edge of the display to the right edge of the display. Theanimation is optionally displayed in response to receipt of input (e.g.,a swipe, a tap, or other input to expose one or more additional columns,among other possibilities).

FIGS. 11A-11B are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing auser interface that gradually appears over visual content in accordancewith some embodiments. The method is optionally performed at anelectronic device as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-B and2-5 (e.g., electronic device 100, 300, or 500, etc.). Some operations inmethod 1100 are, optionally, combined and/or the order of someoperations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 1100 provides ways in which a device candisplay a user interface gradually over visual content. The methodreduces the cognitive burden on a user when interacting with a userinterface on the device by providing a smooth and intuitive userinterface for selecting content items, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated electronic devices,increasing the efficiency of the user's interaction with the userinterfaces conserves power and increases the time between batterycharges.

In some embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., a set top box or otheruser interface generating device that is in communication with a displaydevice) with one or more processors and memory detects (1102) that acolumn display condition (e.g., detecting presence of a user, detectingmotion proximate the electronic device, or detecting a face of a userusing an optical sensor, among other possibilities) has been met.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting that the column displaycondition has been met, the electronic device provides (1114) a userinterface for presentation on a display (e.g., a separate display deviceor an integrated display that is part of the electronic device). Theuser interface optionally includes at least a portion of a first columnproximate to (e.g., at or near) a first edge (e.g., the rightmost edge)of the display. For example, FIG. 10B illustrates a portion of column10004-1 overlaying the visual content 10002.

In some embodiments, input is optionally received (1122) (e.g., a swipe,a tap, or other input to expose one or more additional columns, amongother possibilities). In some embodiments, in response to the input, theelectronic device provides (1128) for display an animation including thefirst column moving away from the first edge of the display to alocation on the display that is proximate to (e.g., at or near) a secondedge (e.g., the leftmost edge) of the display, the second edge beingopposite the first edge. The animation further includes a second columngradually appearing from the first edge of the display, such that aplurality of columns including the first and second columns fills thedisplay from the first edge to the second edge (e.g., the plurality ofcolumns fills the user interface from the rightmost edge of the displayto the leftmost edge of the display, although portions of the userinterface above and/or below the plurality of columns may not be filledby the columns and, in some circumstances, there are margins between oneor more of the columns and the edge of the display). In someembodiments, the plurality of columns is optionally included (1132) in afirst set of columns, two or more columns in the first set of columnseach including two or more menu items (e.g., text, images, and/or videocontent, some or all of which may optionally include links to content,applications, and/or other user interfaces).

For example, FIGS. 10C-10F illustrate an animation including the firstcolumn 10004-1 moving away from the right edge of the display 514 to alocation that is proximate to the left edge of the display, and a secondcolumn 10004-2 gradually appearing from the right edge of the display,such that a plurality of columns fills the display from the right edgeto the left edge.

In some embodiments, detecting that the column display condition hasbeen met optionally does not include (1104) receiving directional input,and receiving the input optionally includes (1124) receiving directionalinput in a first direction (e.g., a swipe, a tap, or other input in adirection such as left, right, up, or down). In some embodiments, thedirectional input optionally includes (1126) a magnitude (e.g., anamount of movement of a contact or a velocity of movement of a contact).The animation optionally further includes (1130) moving the secondcolumn in accordance with the magnitude of the directional input (e.g.,direct manipulation of the second column, such as a swipe leftcorresponding to movement of a contact causes the second column to moveto the left by an amount that corresponds to a distance moved by thecontact during the swipe left gesture or a velocity of the contactduring the swipe left gesture, etc.).

In some embodiments, video content is optionally displayed (1112) on thedisplay when the column display condition is met, the user interfaceoptionally includes (1116) an overlay on the video content, and thefirst column optionally includes (1120) content (e.g., menu items of thefirst column) selected based on the video content being displayed (e.g.,if the video content is a particular movie, the selected contentincluded in the first column may be information related to theparticular movie; if the video content is a particular television show,the selected content included in the first column may be additionalepisodes of the particular television show; etc.).

In some embodiments, video content is optionally displayed (1112) on thedisplay when the column display condition is met, the user interfaceoptionally includes (1120) an overlay on the video content, anddetecting the column display condition optionally includes (1108)detecting selection of a menu button (e.g., on a touch sensitive device,on a remote control, and/or on a mobile device).

In some embodiments, passive content (e.g., splash image, screen saver,background image, etc.) is optionally displayed (1110) on the displaywhen the column display condition is met, the user interface optionallyincludes (1118) an overlay on the passive content, and detecting thecolumn display condition optionally includes (1106) detecting userpresence proximate to the display (e.g., detecting motion proximate theelectronic device, detecting a face of a user using an optical sensor,or detecting presence of a mobile device). For example, FIGS. 10A-10Fillustrate displaying passive content 10002 when the column displaycondition is met, and the first column 10004-1 is subsequentlydisplayed.

The operations in the information processing methods described aboveare, optionally, implemented by running one or more functional modulesin an information processing apparatus such as general purposeprocessors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3 ) orapplication specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 11A-11B are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, detecting operation 1102, providing operation 1114, receivingoperation 1122, and providing operation 1128 are, optionally implementedby event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Eventmonitor 171 in event sorter 170 detects a contact on touch-sensitivedisplay 112, and event dispatcher module 174 delivers the eventinformation to application 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 ofapplication 136-1 compares the event information to respective eventdefinitions 186, and determines whether a first contact at a firstlocation on the touch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefinedevent or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface.When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, eventrecognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with thedetection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionallyutilizes or calls data updater 176 or object updater 177 to update theapplication internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by theapplication. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinaryskill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on thecomponents depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 11A-11B have been described is merely exemplary andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 700, 900, 1300 and 1500) are also applicable in an analogousmanner to method 1100 described above with respect to FIGS. 11A-11B. Forexample, the user interfaces, columns, menu items, content items, anddisplay devices described above with reference to method 1100 optionallyhave one or more of the characteristics of the user interfaces, columnsmenu items, content items, and display devices described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 700, 900,1300 and 1500). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

Smart Episode User Interface

Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces that provideaccess to episodes of various content series. It can be difficult for auser to keep track of which episodes have already been watched. Further,for an unwatched content series, it can be more intuitive to presenteither the first episode of the series or the most recent episode of theseries, depending on the release status of the content series. Theembodiments described below provide a more intuitive user interface byintelligently presenting contextual information for a content seriesbased on the release status of the content series.

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate exemplary user interfaces including intelligentpresentation of contextual information for a content series inaccordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figuresare used to illustrate the processes described below, including theprocesses described below with reference to FIGS. 13A-13C.

FIG. 12A illustrates an example content series user interface. Thecontent series user interface is displayed on display 514 of a device(e.g., device 500) and is responsive to user input, such as ontouch-sensitive surface 451 and/or remote 510. The content series userinterface includes an affordance 12002 with information regarding themost recently released episode of the content series, selectable to viewthe most recently released episode of the content series. In someembodiments, the information regarding the most recently releasedepisode of the content series is optionally displayed based on adetermination that the content series is currently releasing and themost recently released episode is not marked as watched.

FIG. 12B illustrates an example content series user interface displayinginformation 12004 regarding a future release date and/or time of a nextreleasing episode. In some embodiments, information 12004 is optionallyselectable to add the next releasing episode to a watch list. In someembodiments, the information 12004 regarding a future release dateand/or time of a next releasing episode is optionally displayed based ona determination that the content series is currently releasing and themost recently released episode is marked as watched.

FIG. 12C illustrates an example content series user interface includingan affordance 12006 with information regarding a first episode of thecontent series, selectable to view the first episode of the contentseries. In some embodiments, the information regarding the first episodeof the content series is optionally displayed based on a determinationthat the content series is cancelled.

FIG. 12D illustrates an example content series user interface includingan affordance 12008 with information regarding an earliest unwatchedepisode, selectable to view the earliest unwatched episode of thecontent series. In some embodiments, the information regarding theearliest unwatched episode is optionally displayed based on adetermination that one or more other episodes of the content series aremarked as watched.

FIG. 12E illustrates an example content series user interface includingan affordance 12010 with information regarding an episode currentlyairing live on a channel, selectable to change to the channel on whichthe episode is currently airing live. In some embodiments, theinformation regarding the episode currently airing live on a channel isoptionally displayed based on a determination that the content series iscurrently releasing and an episode of the content series is currentlyairing live on the channel.

FIGS. 13A-13C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of intelligentpresentation of contextual information for a content series inaccordance with some embodiments. The method is optionally performed atan electronic device as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-B and2-5 (e.g., electronic device 100, 300, or 500, etc.). Some operations inmethod 1300 are, optionally, combined and/or the order of someoperations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 1300 provides ways in which a device candisplay a user interface including intelligent presentation ofcontextual information for a content series. The method reduces thecognitive burden on a user when interacting with a user interface on thedevice by providing intuitive user interface for selecting contentitems, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. Forbattery-operated electronic devices, increasing the efficiency of theuser's interaction with the user interfaces conserves power andincreases the time between battery charges.

In some embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., a set top box or otheruser interface generating device that is in communication with a displaydevice) with one or more processors and memory receives (1302) a requestfor information about a content series (e.g., a television series, aminiseries, a set of webisodes, among other possibilities) that has arelease status (e.g., whether the series is still in production, whetherthe series has been canceled, whether there are remaining episodes thathave yet to be released, among other possibilities).

In some embodiments, in response to receiving the request, theelectronic device provides (1304) a user interface for display on adisplay (e.g., a television or other display device) that includesinformation about the content series, including respective contextualinformation that is based on the release status of the content series.In some embodiments, the user interface optionally includes (1312) aplurality of columns, two or more of the plurality of columns includingtwo or more menu items (e.g., text, images, and/or video content, someor all of which may optionally include links to content, applications,and/or other user interfaces). A first column of the plurality ofcolumns optionally includes the respective contextual information thatis based on the release status of the content series (e.g., the columnis a column dedicated to the content series, such as a “Game of Thrones”column; and/or the column is a column dedicated to a content provider ofthe content series, such as an HBO column with a menu item for “Game ofThrones”, etc.). For example, FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate a plurality ofcolumns regarding the content series “Mad Men”, and each figureillustrates different possible contextual information 12002-12010.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the releasestatus is a first release status (1306), the respective contextualinformation is first contextual information provided based on recentrelease-status activity (e.g., current or upcoming episodes) for thecontent series.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the releasestatus is a second release status (1308), different from the firstrelease status, the respective contextual information is secondcontextual information (different from the first contextual information)provided without reference to recent release-status activity (e.g.,current or upcoming episodes) for the content series.

In some embodiments, the first contextual information optionallyincludes (1314) an affordance that, when selected, causes an episode ofthe content series to be provided for display on the display (in someembodiments, the device receives a selection of the affordance; and inresponse to receiving the selection of the affordance, presenting fordisplay an episode of the content series). In some embodiments, thesecond contextual information optionally includes (1322) informationindicating when a next episode of the content series will be availablefor presentation without including an affordance that, when selected,causes an episode of the content series to be presented for display. Forexample, FIG. 12B illustrates information 12004 indicating when a nextepisode of “Mad Men” will be available for presentation, withoutincluding an affordance that, when selected, causes an episode of “MadMen” to be presented for display.

In some embodiments, the release status is optionally cancelled (1310)and the respective contextual information optionally includes a firstepisode of the content series (or a last unwatched episode of thecontent series). For example, FIG. 12C illustrates information 12006including a first episode of “Mad Men”.

In some embodiments, the first release status is optionally currentlyreleasing (1316) (e.g., the content series is currently on the airand/or new episodes are being released) and a most recently releasedepisode is marked as watched. Providing the first contextual informationbased on recent release-status activity optionally includes providing,for display, a date of a next releasing episode (e.g., the air date ofan upcoming episode in the content series). For example, FIG. 12Billustrates information 12004 including a date of a next releasingepisode of “Mad Men”.

In some embodiments, the first release status is optionally currentlyreleasing (1318) (e.g., the content series is currently on the airand/or new episodes are being released) and a most recently releasedepisode is not marked as watched. Providing the first contextualinformation based on recent release-status activity optionally includesproviding an affordance for presenting a most recently released episodeof the content series. In some embodiments, a selection of theaffordance is optionally received (1324), and in response (1326) toreceiving the selection of the affordance, the most recently releasedepisode of the content series is optionally provided for display (1328).For example, FIG. 12A illustrates an affordance 12002 for presenting amost recently released episode of “Mad Men”.

In some embodiments, the first release status is optionally currentlyreleasing (1320) (e.g., the content series is currently on the airand/or new episodes are being released) and an episode of the contentseries is currently airing live on a respective channel. Providing thefirst contextual information based on recent release-status activityoptionally includes providing an affordance for providing for displaythe respective channel on which the episode is currently airing live. Insome embodiments, a selection of the affordance is optionally received(1324), and in response (1326) to receiving the selection of theaffordance, the respective channel on which the episode is currentlyairing live is optionally provided for display (1330). For example, FIG.12E illustrates an affordance 12010 for providing for display arespective channel on which an episode of “Mad Men” is currently airinglive.

The operations in the information processing methods described aboveare, optionally, implemented by running one or more functional modulesin an information processing apparatus such as general purposeprocessors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3 ) orapplication specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 13A-13C are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, receiving operation 1302, providing operation 1304, andreceiving operation 1324 are, optionally implemented by event sorter170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 inevent sorter 170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, andevent dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information toapplication 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application136-1 compares the event information to respective event definitions186, and determines whether a first contact at a first location on thetouch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event,such as selection of an object on a user interface. When a respectivepredefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of theevent or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls dataupdater 176 or object updater 177 to update the application internalstate 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respectiveGUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by the application.Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in theart how other processes can be implemented based on the componentsdepicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 13A-13C have been described is merely exemplary andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 700, 900, 1100 and 1500) are also applicable in an analogousmanner to method 1300 described above with respect to FIGS. 13A-13C. Forexample, the user interfaces, columns, menu items, content items, anddisplay devices described above with reference to method 1300 optionallyhave one or more of the characteristics of the user interfaces, columnsmenu items, content items, and display devices described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 700, 900,1100 and 1500). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

Watch List with Content and Non-Content Items

Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces that allow a userto directly add content items to a watch list for later viewing. It canbe difficult for a user to keep track of potentially interesting contentitems as they are released. The embodiments described below provide auser interface for quickly adding both content and non-content items(e.g., actors, search terms, genres, sports leagues/players, etc.) to awatch list, so that content items related to the non-content items canbe automatically populated to the watch list.

FIGS. 14A-14H illustrate exemplary user interfaces for adding bothcontent and non-content items to a watch list in accordance with someembodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustratethe processes described below, including the processes described belowwith reference to FIGS. 15A-15B.

FIG. 14A illustrates an exemplary content series user interface. Thecontent series user interface is displayed on a display 514 of a device(e.g., device 500) and is responsive to user input, such as ontouch-sensitive surface 451 and/or remote 510. The content series userinterface includes affordances 14002 and 14004, each selectable foradding the content series to a watch list and an individual episode ofthe content series to the watch list, respectively. Further, in FIG. 14Aeach affordance is displayed proximate to information regarding the itemto be added to the watch list: affordance 14002 is proximate to generalinformation about the content series, and affordance 14004 is in acolumn regarding the individual episode of the content series. Addingthe individual episode to the watch list causes a menu item and/orcolumn corresponding to the individual episode to be displayed in thewatch list user interface (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 14H). Adding thecontent series to the watch list causes a menu item and/or columncorresponding to the content series and/or some/all of the individualepisodes of the content series to be displayed in the watch list userinterface. In some embodiments, episodes of the content series releasedafter the content series is added to the watch list will optionally beautomatically added to the watch list as they are released.

FIGS. 14B-C illustrate an exemplary movie user interface and anexemplary actor user interface. The movie user interface includesaffordance 14006 selectable for adding the movie to the watch list.Affordance 14006 is displayed proximate to information regarding themovie to be added to the watch list. Adding the movie to the watch listcauses a menu item and/or column corresponding to the movie to bedisplayed in the watch list user interface. The movie user interfacefurther includes menu item 14008 corresponding to an actor in the castof the movie, selectable to cause an actor user interface to bedisplayed, as illustrated in FIG. 14C. The actor user interface includesaffordance 14010 selectable for adding the actor to the watch list. Insome embodiments, affordances 14006 and 14010 optionally aresubstantially identical, with some variations in font size, spacing,placement, etc., but each includes the words “Add to Watch List.”Affordance 14010 is displayed proximate to information regarding theactor to be added to the watch list. Adding the actor to the watch listcauses menu items and/or columns each corresponding to one or morecontent items in which the actor appears to be displayed in the watchlist user interface. In some embodiments, content items including theactor that are released after the actor is added to the watch list willoptionally be automatically added to the watch list as they arereleased.

FIG. 14D illustrates an exemplary search user interface. The search userinterface includes affordance 14012 selectable for adding a search termto the watch list. Affordance 14012 is displayed proximate to searchresults for the search term “superheroes” to be added to the watch list.Adding the search term to the watch list causes menu items and/orcolumns each corresponding to one or more search results of the searchterm to be displayed in the watch list user interface. In someembodiments, search results that are released after the search term isadded to the watch list will optionally be automatically added to thewatch list as they are released.

FIG. 14E illustrates an exemplary genre user interface. The genre userinterface includes an affordance 14014 selectable for adding the genreto the watch list. Affordance 14014 is displayed proximate to the nameof the genre “Romantic Comedy” to be added to the watch list. Adding thegenre to the watch list causes menu items and/or columns eachcorresponding to one or more content items in the genre to be displayedin the watch list user interface. In some embodiments, content items inthe genre that are released after the genre is added to the watch listwill optionally be automatically added to the watch list as they arereleased.

FIG. 14F illustrates an exemplary sports player user interface. Thesports player user interface includes an affordance 14016 selectable foradding the sports player to the watch list. Affordance 14016 isdisplayed proximate to information regarding the sports player to beadded to the watch list. Adding the sports player to the watch listcauses menu items and/or columns each corresponding to one or more gamesand other content items involving the sports player to be displayed inthe watch list user interface. In some embodiments, content itemsinvolving the sports player that are released after the sports player isadded to the watch list will optionally be automatically added to thewatch list as they are released.

FIG. 14G illustrates an exemplary sports league user interface. Thesports league user interface includes an affordance 14018 selectable foradding the sports league to the watch list. Affordance 14018 isdisplayed proximate to information regarding the sports league to beadded to the watch list. Adding the sports league to the watch listcauses menu items and/or columns each corresponding to one or more gamesand other content items related to the sports league to be displayed inthe watch list user interface. In some embodiments, content itemsrelated to the sports league that are released after the sports leagueis added to the watch list will optionally be automatically added to thewatch list as they are released.

FIG. 14H illustrates an exemplary watch list user interface. The watchlist user interface includes columns 14020-1, 14020-2, 14020-3, 14020-4,and 14020-5, each corresponding to a content item or content seriesadded based on a content item or non-content item added to the watchlist. In some embodiments, information regarding why a content item isin the watch list is optionally displayed proximate to informationregarding the content item. For example, in column 14020-1, “The DarkKnight” appears in the watch list because the actor Christian Bale, whois in the cast of “The Dark Knight,” was added to the watch list. Incolumn 14020-2, the series “Mad Men” appears in the watch list becausethe series was added to the watch list. In column 14020-3, “27 Dresses”appears in the watch list because the genre “Romantic Comedy” was addedto the watch list. In column 14020-4, the basketball game “Clippers vs.Magic” appears in the watch list because the player Blake Griffin (whoplays for the Clippers) was added to the watch list. In column 14020-5,“The Amazing Spider-Man” appears in the watch list because the searchterm “superheroes” was added to the watch list.

FIGS. 15A-15B are flow diagrams illustrating a method of user interfacesfor adding both content and non-content items to a watch list inaccordance with some embodiments. The method is optionally performed atan electronic device as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-5 ,including a set top box or other user interface generating device thatis in communication with a remote control and a display device. Someoperations in method 1500 are, optionally, combined and/or the order ofsome operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 1500 provides ways in which a device candisplay user interfaces for adding both content and non-content items toa watch list. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user wheninteracting with a user interface on the device by providing intuitiveuser interface for selecting content items, thereby creating a moreefficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronicdevices, increasing the efficiency of the user's interaction with theuser interfaces conserves power and increases the time between batterycharges.

In some embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., a set top box or otheruser interface generating device that is in communication with a displaydevice) with one or more processors and memory provides (1504) fordisplay a first affordance (e.g., a button, checkbox, or otherselectable user interface object) in association with a first contentitem (e.g., a movie, an episode, a song, a video clip, etc.) and asecond affordance in association with a non-content item (e.g., anactor, a genre, a search term, etc.). For example, FIGS. 14A-14Fillustrate affordances 14002, 14004, and 14006 in association withcontent items (a content series, an episode, and a movie, respectively),and affordances 14010, 14012, 14014, 14016, and 14018 (an actor, asearch term, a genre, a sports player, and a sports league,respectively).

In some embodiments, the electronic device receives (1522) an input(e.g., a tap gesture on a touch-sensitive surface) selecting the firstaffordance and an input selecting the second affordance (e.g., input toadd the first content item and the non-content item to a watch list).For example, input can be received selecting any of affordances 14002,14004, 14006, 14010, 14012, 14014, 14016, and 14018 in FIGS. 14A-14F.

In some embodiments, the electronic device provides (1528) for display alist of content items (e.g., a watch list displayed as a plurality ofcolumns, or as a plurality of menu items in a menu), the list includingthe first content item and one or more additional content itemsassociated with the non-content item (e.g., movies starring the actor ifthe non-content item is an actor, movies from the genre if thenon-content item is a genre, or results of the search if the non-contentitem is a search, etc.). For example, FIG. 14G illustrates a watch listof content items including items associated with various non-contentitems (e.g., “The Dark Knight” is associated with an actor, ChristianBale, “27 Dresses” is associated with a genre, “Romantic Comedy,” etc.).

In some embodiments, the first affordance and the second affordance areoptionally identical (1506) (e.g., the first and second affordances arebuttons including the text “Add to Watch List”). In some embodiments,the first affordance and the second affordance are substantiallyidentical (e.g., both affordances are buttons that include the text “Addto Watch List” so that it is clear to the user that both buttons addcontent associated with a currently displayed content or non-contentitem to the user's watch list, even if there are different shape, color,or font used in the buttons). For example, FIGS. 14A-14F illustrateaffordances 14006, 14010, 14016, and 14018 as being substantiallyidentical. Including substantially identical affordances in differentportions of the user interface provide feedback to users indicating thatselection of the affordances will add content associated with theaffordance to the user's watchlist, even if the affordance is displayednear different types of content (e.g., actors, athletes, movies, genres,etc.)

In some embodiments, a list of search results based on a search term isoptionally provided for display (1502). The second affordance isoptionally provided (1508) proximate to (e.g., in association with) thelist of search results (and the second affordance is generated fordisplay proximate to the list of search results; e.g., the affordanceincludes the text “Add Search to Watch List”). In some embodiments,providing the list of content items optionally includes (1530) searchingbased on the search term to obtain an additional list of search results(and at least one of the additional search results is included in thelist of content items). For example, FIG. 14D illustrates an affordance14012 proximate to a list of search results.

In some embodiments, providing for display the first affordance inassociation with the first content optionally includes (1510) receivinga request to display information about the first content item on thedisplay. In response to receiving the request to display the informationabout the first content item on the display, the information about thefirst content item is optionally displayed (1512), and the firstaffordance is optionally displayed adjacent to the information about thefirst content item. For example, in FIG. 14B, the affordance 14006 isdisplayed adjacent to information regarding “The Dark Knight”.

While displaying the first affordance adjacent to the information aboutthe first content item, an input is optionally received (1524) thatcorresponds to activation of the first affordance (e.g., a selectioncommand received while the “add to watch list” affordance ishighlighted). Providing the second affordance for display in associationwith the non-content item optionally includes, while displaying theinformation about the first content item, receiving (1514) a request todisplay information about the non-content item on the display. Inresponse to receiving the request to display the information about thenon-content item on the display, display of the information about thefirst content item is optionally replaced (1516) with display of theinformation about the non-content item. The second affordance isoptionally displayed adjacent to the information about the non-contentitem. For example, in FIG. 14B, a request to display information aboutChristian Bale may be received if a user selects affordance 14008. Then,in FIG. 14C, an affordance 14010 is displayed adjacent to informationabout Christian Bale.

Receiving the input selecting the second affordance optionally includes,while displaying the second affordance adjacent to the information aboutthe non-content item, receiving (1526) an input that corresponds toactivation of the second affordance (e.g., a selection command receivedwhile the “add to watch list” affordance is highlighted). In someembodiments, one or more additional affordances are selected whilenavigating through a user interface that includes columns correspondingto a plurality of different content and non-content items (e.g., theuser has the option of selecting from a plurality of differentaffordances that correspond to non-content items and a plurality ofaffordances that correspond to content items while navigating through aseries of menus or user interfaces corresponding to the differentcontent items and non-content items). For example, the plurality ofaffordances 14002, 14004, 14006, 14010, 14012, 14014, 14016, and 14018in FIGS. 14A-14F are optionally selected while navigating through thevarious column user interfaces.

In some embodiments, a plurality of affordances are optionally provided(1518) that correspond to non-content items. The plurality ofaffordances optionally include an affordance corresponding to arespective non-content item (e.g., a sports player), and an affordancecorresponding to a grouping of non-content items that includes therespective non-content item and one or more other non-content items(e.g., a team that includes the sports player or a league that includesa team). For example, FIG. 14G illustrates an affordance 14018corresponding to a sports league.

In some embodiments, a plurality of affordances are optionally provided(1520) that correspond to content items. The plurality of affordancesoptionally include an affordance corresponding to a respective contentitem (e.g., an episode of a TV show), and an affordance corresponding toa grouping of content items that includes the respective content itemand one or more other content items (e.g., a TV show that includes theepisode). For example, FIG. 14A includes an affordance 14004corresponding to an episode of “Mad Men” and an affordance 14002corresponding to the content series “Mad Men” itself.

The operations in the information processing methods described aboveare, optionally, implemented by running one or more functional modulesin an information processing apparatus such as general purposeprocessors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3 ) orapplication specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 15A-15B are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, providing operation 1502, providing operation 1504, providingoperation 1518, providing operation 1520, receiving operation 1522, andproviding operation 1528 are, optionally implemented by event sorter170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 inevent sorter 170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, andevent dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information toapplication 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application136-1 compares the event information to respective event definitions186, and determines whether a first contact at a first location on thetouch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event,such as selection of an object on a user interface. When a respectivepredefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of theevent or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls dataupdater 176 or object updater 177 to update the application internalstate 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respectiveGUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by the application.Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in theart how other processes can be implemented based on the componentsdepicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 15A-15B have been described is merely exemplary andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 700, 900, 1100 and 1300) are also applicable in an analogousmanner to method 1500 described above with respect to FIGS. 15A-15B. Forexample, the user interfaces, columns, menu items, content items, anddisplay devices described above with reference to method 1500 optionallyhave one or more of the characteristics of the user interfaces, columnsmenu items, content items, and display devices described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 700, 900,1100 and 1300). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 16 shows a functional blockdiagram of an electronic device 1600 configured in accordance with theprinciples of the various described embodiments. The functional blocksof the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of thevarious described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill inthe art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 16 are, optionally,combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of thevarious described embodiments. Therefore, the description hereinoptionally supports any possible combination or separation or furtherdefinition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 16 , an electronic device 1600 optionally includes adisplay unit 1602 configured to display a user interface including oneor more user interface objects (e.g., content items, headings, etc.); aninput unit 1604 to receive user input, selections, etc. (e.g.,touch-sensitive surface, keyboard, mouse, or other input unit); and aprocessing unit 1610 coupled to the display unit 1602 and the input unit1604. In some embodiments, the processing unit 1610 optionally includesa display enabling unit 1612, a receiving unit 1614, a determining unit1616, and an obtaining unit 1618.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1610 is configured to provide(e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612), for display on a displaydevice, a user interface including a first set of columns, two or morecolumns in the first set of columns each including two or more menuitems. The processing unit 1610 is configured to receive (e.g., with thereceiving unit 1614) a selection input. In response to receiving theselection input, in accordance with a determination that the selectioninput corresponds to selection of a first column, the processing unit1610 is further configured to provide (e.g., with the display enablingunit 1612), for display on the display device, a second set of columns,two or more of the columns in the second set of columns corresponding todifferent subsets of menu items that were displayed in the first columnthat was selected in response to the selection input.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1610 is further configured to,in response to the selection input, in accordance with a determinationthat the selection input corresponds to selection of a menu item fromthe first column, provide (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612),for display on the display device, a user interface associated with themenu item that was selected.

In some embodiments, the menu item corresponds to a content series thatincludes a plurality of episodes, and a respective episode of theplurality of episodes is in a watch list. The processing unit 1610 isfurther configured to generate (e.g., with the display enabling unit1612) one or more links to ancillary content related to the respectiveepisode, and the second set of columns includes the one or more links toancillary content related to the respective episode.

In some embodiments, a first column in the second set of columnscorresponds to a first menu item from the first column, and a secondcolumn in the second set of columns corresponds to a second menu itemfrom the first column that is different from the first menu item fromthe first column. In some embodiments, a first column in the second setof columns corresponds to a first plurality of the menu items from thefirst column, and a second column in the second set of columnscorresponds to a second plurality of the menu items from the firstcolumn that is different from the first plurality of menu items from thefirst column.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns are configured to movetogether when scrolled in a first direction and to move separately whenscrolled in a second direction that is different from the firstdirection. In some embodiments, scrolling the first set of columns inthe first direction includes determining (e.g., with the determiningunit 1616) a selected column display position based on a position of acurrently selected column with respect to a total number of theplurality of columns, and scrolling (e.g., with the display enablingunit 1612) the plurality of columns such that the currently selectedcolumn moves to the selected column display position on the displaydevice.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1610 is further configured toreceive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1614) second input to advancefrom the first column to a second column, and, in response to the secondinput, alter (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) a visualcharacteristic of one or both of the first column and the second column.In some embodiments, altering the visual characteristic includesincreasing a visual emphasis (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612)of the second column relative to a visual emphasis of the first column.In some embodiments, altering the visual characteristic includesdisplaying (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) additionalinformation on the second column. In some embodiments, altering thevisual characteristic includes increasing (e.g., with the displayenabling unit 1612) a spatial property of the second column relative toa spatial property of the first column.

In some embodiments, the user interface has at least one backgroundcolor, and the processing unit 1610 is further configured to receive(e.g., with the receiving unit 1614) second input to advance from afirst menu item of the first column to a second menu item of the firstcolumn, obtain (e.g., with the obtaining unit 1618) a color associatedwith a logo of the second menu item, and alter (e.g., with the displayenabling unit 1612) the background color of the user interface inaccordance with the color associated with the logo of the second menuitem.

In some embodiments, the first column includes first and secondheadings, and the processing unit 1610 is further configured to receive(e.g., with the receiving unit 1614) a scrolling input corresponding tothe first column. In response to the scrolling input, the processingunit 1610 is further configured to scroll (e.g., with the displayenabling unit 1612) the menu items of the first column, wherein thefirst heading remains stationary during the scrolling of the menu itemsof the first column, scroll (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612)the first heading off an edge of the user interface, such that the firstheading is no longer visible in the user interface after scrolling thefirst heading off the edge of the user interface, and replace (e.g.,with the display enabling unit 1612) the first heading with the secondheading, such that the second heading remains stationary duringscrolling after replacing the first heading.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns is generated based on apartial search term, and the processing unit 1610 is further configuredto generate (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) for display asearch suggestions column in the first set of columns, the searchsuggestions column comprising a plurality of search suggestions, whereina respective search suggestion of the plurality of search suggestions ishighlighted, generate (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) fordisplay a search results column in the first set of columns, the searchsuggestions column comprising a plurality of search resultscorresponding to the respective search suggestion, and receive (e.g.,with the receiving unit 1614) a selection of the respective searchsuggestion. In response to the selection of the respective searchsuggestion, the processing unit 1610 is further configured to generate(e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) for display a plurality ofsearch results columns, including two or more search results columnsthat each correspond to one search result of the plurality of searchresults.

In some embodiments, providing the user interface including the firstset of columns includes generating (e.g., with the display enabling unit1612) representations of a plurality of content items including aplurality of on-demand content items and a plurality of live contentitems, wherein two or more of the representations of on-demand contentitems include static images corresponding to the on-demand content andtwo or more of the representations of live content items include livevideo corresponding to the live content.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1610 is further configured todetermine (e.g., with the determining unit 1616) whether a first contentitem of the plurality of content items is an on-demand content item or alive content item, in accordance with a determination that the firstcontent item is an on-demand content item, obtain (e.g., with theobtaining unit 1618) a static image corresponding to the on-demandcontent item, and in accordance with a determination that the firstcontent item is a live content item, obtain (e.g., with the obtainingunit 1618) a live video corresponding to the live content item. In someembodiments, obtaining the static image includes capturing (e.g., withthe obtaining unit 1618) the static image from video corresponding tothe on-demand content item. In some embodiments, the live video includeslive video of a live sporting event, and the static images represent oneor more of completed sporting events, upcoming sporting events, andhighlight reels.

In some embodiments, the first set of columns includes a first recentcontent column and a second recent content column, and each of the firstand second recent content columns includes content corresponding to adifferent category of recent content. In some embodiments, the firstrecent content column only includes content that has been viewed past apredetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, the first column of the first set of columns is afirst type of column and a second column of the first set of columns isa second type of column, and the processing unit 1610 is furtherconfigured to, while the first column is selected, receive (e.g., withthe receiving unit 1614) a first navigation input. In response toreceiving the first navigation input, the processing unit 1610 isfurther configured to select (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612)a different column of the first set of columns, and, while the secondcolumn is selected, receive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1614) asecond navigation input. In response to receiving the second navigationinput, the processing unit 1610 is further configured to maintainselection (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) of the secondcolumn and navigate (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1612) amongmultiple menu items in a row of the second column.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 17 shows a functional blockdiagram of an electronic device 1700 configured in accordance with theprinciples of the various described embodiments. The functional blocksof the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of thevarious described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill inthe art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 17 are, optionally,combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of thevarious described embodiments. Therefore, the description hereinoptionally supports any possible combination or separation or furtherdefinition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 17 , an electronic device 1700 optionally includes adisplay unit 1702 configured to display a user interface including oneor more user interface objects (e.g., content items, headings, etc.); aninput unit 1704 to receive user input, selections, etc. (e.g.,touch-sensitive surface, keyboard, mouse, or other input unit); and aprocessing unit 1710 coupled to the display unit 1702 and the input unit1704. In some embodiments, the processing unit 1710 optionally includesa display enabling unit 1712 and a receiving unit 1714.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1710 is configured to, while auser interface that includes visual content is displayed on a display,receive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1714) a request to display a menufor controlling the visual content that is displayed in the userinterface. In response to receiving the request to display the menu, theprocessing unit 1710 is further configured to provide (e.g., with thedisplay enabling unit 1712), for display on the display device, anupdated user interface that includes the menu, and the menu includes atleast one translucent portion with a first degree of translucency, sothat an indication of the visual content in the user interface can beseen through the translucent portion of the menu in accordance with thefirst degree of translucency. While the menu with the translucentportion is displayed on the display device, the processing unit 1710 isfurther configured to receive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1714) arequest to perform an operation in the menu. In response to receivingthe request to perform the operation in the menu, the processing unit1710 is further configured to perform (e.g., with the display enablingunit 1712) the operation in the menu and change (e.g., with the displayenabling unit 1712) the translucency of the translucent portion of themenu from the first degree of translucency to a second degree oftranslucency that is different from the first degree of translucency.

In some embodiments, the operation is a first navigation operation in afirst direction, and changing the translucency of the translucentportion of the menu includes increasing (e.g., with the display enablingunit 1712) the translucency. While the menu with the translucent portionis displayed on the display device, the processing unit 1710 is furtherconfigured to receive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1714) a request toperform a navigation operation in a second direction. In response toreceiving the request to perform the navigation operation in the seconddirection, the processing unit 1710 is further configured to perform(e.g., with the display enabling unit 1712) the navigation operation inthe second direction and reduce (e.g., with the display enabling unit1712) the translucency of the translucent portion of the menu.

In some embodiments, the operation is a navigation operation thatcorresponds to a request to move the menu in a respective direction, andchanging the translucency of the translucent portion of the menuincludes: in accordance with a determination that the respectivedirection is a first direction, increasing (e.g., with the displayenabling unit 1712) the translucency of the translucent portion of themenu; and in accordance with a determination that the respectivedirection is a second direction that is different from the firstdirection, decreasing (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1712) thetranslucency of the translucent portion of the menu.

In some embodiments, performing the operation in the menu includeschanging (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1712) a state of an itemin the menu.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1710 is further configured to,while the menu with the translucent portion is displayed on the displaydevice, receive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1714) a request todismiss the menu, and, in response to receiving the request to dismissthe menu, provide (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1712), fordisplay on the display device, the user interface including the visualcontent and not including the menu.

In some embodiments, the visual content includes video content, and theprocessing unit 1710 is further configured to pause the video content(e.g., with the display enabling unit 1712) in response to receiving therequest to display the menu, and resume the video content (e.g., withthe display enabling unit 1712) in response to receiving the request todismiss the menu. In some embodiments, the menu includes a first set ofcolumns, two or more columns in the first set of columns each includingtwo or more menu items.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 18 shows a functional blockdiagram of an electronic device 1800 configured in accordance with theprinciples of the various described embodiments. The functional blocksof the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of thevarious described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill inthe art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 18 are, optionally,combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of thevarious described embodiments. Therefore, the description hereinoptionally supports any possible combination or separation or furtherdefinition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 18 , an electronic device 1800 optionally includes adisplay unit 1802 configured to display a user interface including oneor more user interface objects (e.g., content items, headings, etc.); aninput unit 1804 to receive user input, selections, etc. (e.g.,touch-sensitive surface, keyboard, mouse, or other input unit); and aprocessing unit 1810 coupled to the display unit 1802 and the input unit1804. In some embodiments, the processing unit 1810 optionally includesa display enabling unit 1812, a receiving unit 1814, and a detectingunit 1816.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1810 is configured to detect(e.g., with the detecting unit 1816) that a column display condition hasbeen met. In response to detecting that the column display condition hasbeen met, the processing unit 1810 is further configured to provide(e.g., with the display enabling unit 1812) a user interface forpresentation on a display, the user interface including at least aportion of a first column proximate to a first edge of the display. Theprocessing unit 1810 is further configured to receive input (e.g., withthe receiving unit 1814). In response to the input, the processing unit1810 is further configured to provide (e.g., with the display enablingunit 1812) for display an animation including the first column movingaway from the first edge of the display to a location on the displaythat is proximate to a second edge of the display, the second edge beingopposite the first edge, and a second column gradually appearing fromthe first edge of the display, such that a plurality of columnsincluding the first and second columns fills the display from the firstedge to the second edge.

In some embodiments, detecting that the column display condition hasbeen met does not include receiving directional input, and receiving theinput includes receiving (e.g., with the receiving unit 1814)directional input in a first direction. In some embodiments, thedirectional input includes a magnitude, and the animation furtherincludes moving (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1812) the secondcolumn in accordance with the magnitude of the directional input. Insome embodiments, video content is displayed on the display (e.g., withthe display enabling unit 1812) when the column display condition ismet, the user interface includes an overlay on the video content, andthe first column includes content selected based on the video contentbeing displayed.

In some embodiments, video content is displayed on the display (e.g.,with the display enabling unit 1812) when the column display conditionis met, the user interface includes an overlay on the video content; anddetecting the column display condition includes detecting (e.g., withthe detecting unit 1816) selection of a menu button. In someembodiments, passive content is displayed on the display (e.g., with thedisplay enabling unit 1812) when the column display condition is met,the user interface includes an overlay on the passive content, anddetecting the column display condition includes detecting (e.g., withthe detecting unit 1816) user presence proximate to the display. In someembodiments, the plurality of columns is included in a first set ofcolumns, two or more columns in the first set of columns each includingtwo or more menu items.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 19 shows a functional blockdiagram of an electronic device 1900 configured in accordance with theprinciples of the various described embodiments. The functional blocksof the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of thevarious described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill inthe art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 19 are, optionally,combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of thevarious described embodiments. Therefore, the description hereinoptionally supports any possible combination or separation or furtherdefinition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 19 , an electronic device 1900 optionally includes adisplay unit 1902 configured to display a user interface including oneor more user interface objects (e.g., content items, headings, etc.); aninput unit 1904 to receive user input, selections, etc. (e.g.,touch-sensitive surface, keyboard, mouse, or other input unit); and aprocessing unit 1910 coupled to the display unit 1902 and the input unit1904. In some embodiments, the processing unit 1910 optionally includesa display enabling unit 1912 and a receiving unit 1914.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 1910 is configured to receive(e.g., with the receiving unit 1914) a request for information about acontent series that has a release status. In response to receiving therequest, the processing unit 1910 is further configured to provide(e.g., with the display enabling unit 1912) a user interface for displayon a display that includes information about the content series,including respective contextual information that is based on the releasestatus of the content series. In accordance with a determination thatthe release status is a first release status, the respective contextualinformation is first contextual information provided based on recentrelease-status activity for the content series, and in accordance with adetermination that the release status is a second release status,different from the first release status, the respective contextualinformation is second contextual information provided without referenceto recent release-status activity for the content series.

In some embodiments, the first contextual information includes anaffordance that, when selected, causes (e.g., with the display enablingunit 1912) an episode of the content series to be provided for displayon the display, and the second contextual information includesinformation indicating when a next episode of the content series will beavailable for presentation without including an affordance that, whenselected, causes (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1912) an episodeof the content series to be presented for display.

In some embodiments, the release status is cancelled and the respectivecontextual information includes a first episode of the content series.In some embodiments, the first release status is currently releasing anda most recently released episode is marked as watched, and providing thefirst contextual information based on recent release-status activityincludes providing, for display, (e.g., with the display enabling unit1912) a date of a next releasing episode.

In some embodiments, the first release status is currently releasing anda most recently released episode is not marked as watched, providing thefirst contextual information based on recent release-status activityincludes providing (e.g., with the display enabling unit 1912) anaffordance for presenting a most recently released episode of thecontent series, and the processing unit 1910 is further configured toreceive (e.g., with the receiving unit 1914) a selection of theaffordance. In response to receiving the selection of the affordance,the processing unit 1910 is further configured to provide (e.g., withthe display enabling unit 1912) for display the most recently releasedepisode of the content series.

In some embodiments, the first release status is currently releasing andan episode of the content series is currently airing live on arespective channel, and providing the first contextual information basedon recent release-status activity includes providing (e.g., with thedisplay enabling unit 1912) an affordance for providing for display therespective channel on which the episode is currently airing live, andthe processing unit 1910 is further configured to receive (e.g., withthe receiving unit 1914) a selection of the affordance. In response toreceiving the selection of the affordance, the processing unit 1910 isfurther configured to provide (e.g., with the display enabling unit1912) for display the respective channel on which the episode iscurrently airing live.

In some embodiments, the user interface includes a plurality of columns,two or more of the plurality of columns including two or more menuitems, wherein a first column of the plurality of columns includes therespective contextual information that is based on the release status ofthe content series.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 20 shows a functional blockdiagram of an electronic device 2000 configured in accordance with theprinciples of the various described embodiments. The functional blocksof the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of thevarious described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill inthe art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 20 are, optionally,combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of thevarious described embodiments. Therefore, the description hereinoptionally supports any possible combination or separation or furtherdefinition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 20 , an electronic device 2000 optionally includes adisplay unit 2002 configured to display a user interface including oneor more user interface objects (e.g., content items, headings, etc.); aninput unit 2004 to receive user input, selections, etc. (e.g.,touch-sensitive surface, keyboard, mouse, or other input unit); and aprocessing unit 2010 coupled to the display unit 2002 and the input unit2004. In some embodiments, the processing unit 2010 optionally includesa display enabling unit 2012, a receiving unit 2014, and a searchingunit 2016.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 2010 is configured to provide(e.g., with the display enabling unit 2012) for display a firstaffordance in association with a first content item and a secondaffordance in association with a non-content item. The processing unit2010 is further configured to receive (e.g., with the receiving unit2014) an input selecting the first affordance and an input selecting thesecond affordance, and provide (e.g., with the display enabling unit2012) for display a list of content items, the list including the firstcontent item and one or more additional content items associated withthe non-content item. In some embodiments, the first affordance and thesecond affordance are identical.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 2010 is further configured toprovide (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2012) for display a listof search results based on a search term, wherein the second affordanceis provided proximate to the list of search results. In someembodiments, providing the list of content items includes searching(e.g., with the searching unit 2016) based on the search term to obtainan additional list of search results.

In some embodiments, providing for display the first affordance inassociation with the first content includes receiving (e.g., with thereceiving unit 2014) a request to display information about the firstcontent item on the display and, in response to receiving the request todisplay the information about the first content item on the display,displaying (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2012) the informationabout the first content item and displaying the first affordanceadjacent to the information about the first content item. Receiving theinput selecting the first affordance includes, while displaying thefirst affordance adjacent to the information about the first contentitem, receiving (e.g., with the receiving unit 2014) an input thatcorresponds to activation of the first affordance. Providing for displaythe second affordance in association with the non-content item includes,while displaying the information about the first content item, receiving(e.g., with the receiving unit 2014) a request to display informationabout the non-content item on the display and, in response to receivingthe request to display the information about the non-content item on thedisplay, replacing (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2012) displayof the information about the first content item with display of theinformation about the non-content item and displaying (e.g., with thedisplay enabling unit 2012) the second affordance adjacent to theinformation about the non-content item. Receiving the input selectingthe second affordance includes, while displaying the second affordanceadjacent to the information about the non-content item, receiving (e.g.,with the receiving unit 2014) an input that corresponds to activation ofthe second affordance.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 2010 is further configured toprovide (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2012) a plurality ofaffordances that correspond to non-content items, the plurality ofaffordances including: an affordance corresponding to a respectivenon-content item, and an affordance corresponding to a grouping ofnon-content items that includes the respective non-content item and oneor more other non-content items.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 2010 is further configured toprovide (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2012) a plurality ofaffordances that correspond to content items, the plurality ofaffordances including: an affordance corresponding to a respectivecontent item, and an affordance corresponding to a grouping of contentitems that includes the respective content item and one or more othercontent items.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best use the invention and variousdescribed embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A method comprising: at an electronic device in communication with adisplay device and one or more input devices: receiving, via the one ormore input devices, a request for information about an episodic seriesof content that has a release status; in response to receiving therequest for information, displaying, via the display device, a userinterface associated with the episodic series of content, wherein theuser interface associated with the episodic series of content includesone or more interactive representations of one or more episodes of theepisodic series of content wherein the one or more interactiverepresentations include respective contextual information based on therelease status of the episodic series of content and a viewing status ofthe episodic series of content; while displaying the user interface,receiving, via the one or more input devices, a user input selecting arespective representation of the one or more interactive representationscorresponding to a respective episode of the one or more episodes; andin response to receiving the user input: in accordance with adetermination that the respective episode is an episode of the episodicseries of content that has been released, initiating a process todisplay the respective episode via the display device; and in accordancewith a determination that the respective episode is an episode of theepisodic series of content that has not been released, performing anoperation with respect to the respective episode without displaying therespective episode via the display device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the respective episode is the episode of the episodic series ofcontent that has not been released, and the user interface associatedwith the episodic series of content includes information about when therespective episode will be released.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein:in accordance with a determination that a given episode of the one ormore episodes of the episodic series of content will be released, theuser interface associated with the episodic series of content includesan indication that the given episode will be released.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the user interface associated with the episodic seriesof content includes a playback affordance that is selectable to initiatea process to play content associated with the episodic series ofcontent, the method further comprising: while displaying the userinterface including the playback affordance, receiving, via the one ormore input devices, a user input selecting the playback affordance; andin response to receiving the user input selecting the playbackaffordance: in accordance with a determination that a user of theelectronic device has not completed viewing a first episode of theepisodic series of content, displaying, via the display device, thefirst episode of the episodic series of content; and in accordance witha determination that the user has completed viewing the first episode ofthe episodic series of content, displaying, via the display device, asecond episode of the episodic series of content.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the respective representation of the one or more interactiverepresentations corresponding to the respective episode of the one ormore episodes includes a graphic associated with the respective episodeand a description associated with the respective episode, the methodfurther comprising: in response to receiving the user input: inaccordance with the determination that the respective episode is theepisode of the episodic series of content that has been released: inaccordance with a determination that the user input is directed to thegraphic associated with the respective episode, initiating the processto display, via the display device, the respective episode; and inaccordance with a determination that the user input is directed to thedescription associated with the respective episode, initiating theprocess to display, via the display device, the user interfaceassociated with the respective episode without displaying the respectiveepisode; in accordance with the determination that the respectiveepisode is the episode of the episodic series of content that has notbeen released: in accordance with a determination that the user input isdirected to the graphic associated with the respective episode,initiating the process to display, via the display device, the userinterface associated with the respective episode without displaying therespective episode; and in accordance with a determination that the userinput is directed to the description associated with the respectiveepisode, initiating the process to display, via the display device, theuser interface associated with the respective episode without displayingthe respective episode.
 6. An electronic device comprising: one or moreprocessors; memory; and one or more programs, wherein the electronicdevice is in communication with one or more input devices and a displaydevice, and the one or more programs are stored in the memory andconfigured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or moreprocessors including instructions for performing a method comprising:receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request for informationabout an episodic series of content that has a release status; inresponse to receiving the request for information, displaying, via thedisplay device, a user interface associated with the episodic series ofcontent, wherein the user interface associated with the episodic seriesof content includes one or more interactive representations of one ormore episodes of the episodic series of content wherein the one or moreinteractive representations include respective contextual informationbased on the release status of the episodic series of content and aviewing status of the episodic series of content; while displaying theuser interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a userinput selecting a respective representation of the one or moreinteractive representations corresponding to a respective episode of theone or more episodes; and in response to receiving the user input: inaccordance with a determination that the respective episode is anepisode of the episodic series of content that has been released,initiating a process to display the respective episode via the displaydevice; and in accordance with a determination that the respectiveepisode is an episode of the episodic series of content that has notbeen released, performing an operation with respect to the respectiveepisode without displaying the respective episode via the displaydevice.
 7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing oneor more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions,which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device incommunication with one or more input devices and a display device, causethe electronic device to perform a method comprising: receiving, via theone or more input devices, a request for information about an episodicseries of content that has a release status; in response to receivingthe request for information, displaying, via the display device, a userinterface associated with the episodic series of content, wherein theuser interface associated with the episodic series of content includesone or more interactive representations of one or more episodes of theepisodic series of content wherein the one or more interactiverepresentations include respective contextual information based on therelease status of the episodic series of content and a viewing status ofthe episodic series of content; while displaying the user interface,receiving, via the one or more input devices, a user input selecting arespective representation of the one or more interactive representationscorresponding to a respective episode of the one or more episodes; andin response to receiving the user input: in accordance with adetermination that the respective episode is an episode of the episodicseries of content that has been released, initiating a process todisplay the respective episode via the display device; and in accordancewith a determination that the respective episode is an episode of theepisodic series of content that has not been released, performing anoperation with respect to the respective episode without displaying therespective episode via the display device.